Opinions

Headlines under the 'Singapore' section today read: Ah Meng, icon of Singapore Zoo, dies of old age.

My heart skipped a beat; it was a piece of news that mattered to me, it really did. News clips ranging from 'explosion in chemical plant on Jurong island' to 'Rapist on the lurk in Jurong' didn't quite bother me, much less catch my attention. I was surprised that Ah meng's death did; i declare a national tragedy.

I think beyond an icon of the zoo, Ah Meng consitutes one of the very limited few national icons. For those who were born in the 80s (well, even the 90s), Ah Meng was an icon who we could associate with. I guess a kid growing up in today's context can only associate with entities such as the Singapore Flyer or Terminal 3.

It was good while it lasted; having a 'personal-national' animal icon that we could all identify with.

To quote the news source, "...As an icon of the Singapore Zoo, Ah Meng has met numerous foreign dignitaries and world-renowned celebrities such as Prince Philip, David Copperfield, Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor." Wow. Can you live to 48 years and claim a whole list of people you have met to be so star-studded?

Random rants aside, i think a minute of silence should be observed for this national icon of the 20th century.

Or actually, a national holiday should be declared in commemoration of him. This would remind generations of children about this national icon that we once had. Wouldnt it be wonderful to have an "Ah Meng day"? Generations that follows will be left absolutely bewildered; asking, 'was Ah Meng our first President?' Indeed.

On a serious note, it's another great loss to our country, and i really cannot think of another creature that can so uniquely represent the zoo again.