By Liew Hanqing

WITH exports down, jobs disappearing and the economy in the doldrums, we need more bad news like we need a hole in the head.

So what does Mother Nature do? It zaps the Merlion, leaving Singapore's iconic symbol with, well, a hole in the head.

Coincidence? Bad omen? Mother Nature's sick sense of humour?

Why zap the Merlion? Why the head, of all places? Why now?

As can be expected of superstitious Singaporeans, chatrooms have been abuzz about the significance of Saturday's incident.

The doomsayers are convinced that the hit - which took a chunk off the Merlion's crown - is a bad omen.
Click to see larger image

As in three strikes and you're out!

The Toto optimists see it as a sign that the worst is over for Singaporeans, speculating that the Merlion could have - heroically - sucked the 'suay' (bad luck) out of our way forward.

Who you gonna believe? Who you gonna call?

We called the fengshui experts - and were left as dumbstruck (pardon the pun) as our precious Merlion.

The geomancy experts, too, were divided.

Geomancer John Lok, who runs Fengshui0011.com, said the event could have positive implications.

'As the Merlion was hit by light on its head, it could signify that Singaporeans will be able to see more clearly, as this is a wake-up call to all Singaporeans.

'This year - the (Chinese) zodiac Year of the Ox - has a sign which represents 'ugly' or 'clown'. As a result, there will be some superficial events occurring, such as the lightning strike on the Merlion.'

Not that bad

Another geomancer, Master Lim Koon Hian of San Yen Geomancy Centre, agreed. He said the event signified that Singaporeans would experience a wake-up call, and a greater understanding of events around them.

Fengshui master Gwee Kim Woon, who runs Fulu Geomancy Centre, told Lianhe Wanbao that the lightning strike had only damaged a small portion of the Merlion's head, and not the entire head.

'This could mean that it has averted a more serious disaster,' he said.

He added that, judging from the Merlion's position, it is possible that the lightning strike could bring about a release of good fortune in Singapore.

He explained that the lightning strike could be interpreted as the 'ignition' of wealth and luck for Singapore.

Others were less optimistic.

Fengshui master Lee Yuhon said the event marked the arrival of 'negative forces' from the south of Singapore.

He added that it was caused by negative forces which had accumulated in the area.

'The lightning strike could mean that something bad may happen in the southern part of Singapore.'

Master David Tong of CMG Consulting, too, felt it was 'not a good omen'.

'The Merlion is an icon of Singapore, and an icon getting struck by lightning is not a good thing.

'In Chinese metaphysics, we learn that everything happens for a reason. It could be that the recession we are already in could get worse.'

From a tourist-revenue standpoint, he may have a point. After all, what's a visit to Singapore without taking in the sight of a part-lion part-fish puking continuously into mouth of the Singapore River?

So contractors are doing brain surgery, trying to replace the scalp of the 36-year-old statue.

Temporary barricades have been erected around the statue for safety reasons - not necessarily in case lightning strikes twice.

The Singapore Tourism Board said it is waiting for a full assessment from contractors before deciding when to allow the public access to the statue, and whether to erect a lightning conductor to prevent a repeat incident.

Meanwhile, the verdict remains a toss of a coin - lion's head, fish's tail - a stroke that will leave the economy paralysed, or a stroke of good fortune, as in tio beh pio (strike it rich!).

This article was first published in The New Paper.