Pasir Panjang (west)

Pasir Panjang (West) - Twin Lions Restraining River

Pasir Panjang has an amazing twin lions restraining river formation. One stands guard at the river mouth, and the other from the top of the mound by the sea - a very spectacular sight indeed.

The tail of the lioness is linked to the nine bends and 13 turns of the snake land, while her head is near the PSA building. The lion can be found at Tanjong Berlayer Park and together with Mount Faber's single pincer crab, it guards the river mouth. This is how the term twin lions leading the harbour came about.

During the Second World War, cannons were mounted on the lion and the crab in a vain attempt to protect Singapore against the invading Japanese forces. Today, the old cannons stand as reminders of the past, battle scars can still be seen and the lion's moods' have changed vastly.

A Long Stretch of Sand Land

Pasir is a Malay Word that means land of sand and panjang means long. Thus Pasir Panjang means long stretch of sand land and is the more prosperous area in Singapore's western region.

Legend has it that Pasir Panjang's twin lions had an unusual experience. In the past, when Malays dominated this area a Malay Chief headed the village. After his death, he was transformed into a stone and later appeared as the deity revered by people, Tua Peh Kong. Later the cubs of the original pair of lions stood guard on both sides of the Pasir Panjang Tua Peh Kong temple and were responsible for the fishermen's safe return.

With the passage of time and development of the environment, the feng shui of Pasir Panjang has changed too. A generator plant and an oil refinery plant have set up next to the old lion. Unaffected by change, it is able to retain its original source of feng shui. However, the lioness met with drastic changes. Blocks of flats and a fire station have sprung up on the lioness' head and body.

The temple was not spared from change too. It used to attract many devotees as it was believed that the stone structures in the temple constantly change their shapes. Devotees were convinced of the power of the stone Tua Peh Kong and the pair of stone lions. For some reason, the temple has since declined into a worn-down structure standing meekly beside a warehouse.

It is clear that deities, like human beings face ups and downds too. Recently, to my gratification, the stone Tua Peh Kong has been moved to a temple in Clement East where it is receiving good care.

As the cargo transport business gradually shifts from the south to the western part of Singapore, the area off Singapore's southwestern shore will be reclaimed and expanded to developed into an offshore casino city. The southwestern islands will no doubt progress very quickly after 2004 and contribute greatly to Singapore's economy.