Finding a “new home” for the Istana

Do foreign delegates’ visits hinder Singapore’s economic development?

Some say Singapore’s governmentis businesslike and excels at making money. Indeed, it’s obvious to all thatthe Singapore government “manages” the country like a business; for generations“efficiency” has trumped“people development”. Most of us agree and accept this – after all, Singapore lacks natural resources and we couldn’t possibly have survived if not for pragmatism. However, there are some who question if we really need to be so “money-minded”.

Which mindset is correct? It’s hard to say. Now that the country has developed and stabilised, our values and culture are starting to get more attention. On this 50th year of our independence, we have to ask: is Singapore’s economy-first policy due to global forces, or due to the invisble forces of terrain and feng shui? As geomancers, we’d naturally analyze this from a feng shui perspective!

To study the country’s development, we must begin from the Istana’s feng shui. Singapore’s Istana is located on the “Southern Dragon”, close to the “dragon’s head”Mount Emily. If you’re familiar with Singapore’s “Five Dragons”feng shui concept, then you’ll know that the “Southern Dragon” is the “Wealth Dragon”, which is important to economic growth. Not only has this vivacious “Wealth Dragon” boosted the growth of businesses located along its body, but it has also influenced the closely-linked “Central Dragon”,especially Orchard Road, which is close to the “dragon’s head”and can be considered the lifeblood of our economy. No wonder the area around the Istana is always full of exuberance.

As the “head” of this “Southern Dragon”or“Wealth Dragon”, the Istanais also heavily influenced by the qi here, so much so that we have repeatedly created economic miracles on this resource-scarce Little Red Dot.

Singapore’s Istana sits at the top of a slope where hills intersect. In Landform feng shui, this forms a “Lion Playing with a Ball” formation.Apparently, apart from all its facilities, the Istana also possesses a natural hot spring, giving it a perfect feng shuienvironment.However, as both a “dragon head” and a “lion” ground, its qi is extremely powerful and adversely affects the nearby KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Could this affect Singapore’s fertility rates? We’re not sure, but from a feng shuiperspective, the hospital could consider shifting its focus to development of medicines instead.

If you’ve been to the Istana’s main entrance where the changing of the guard is conducted, you’ll notice a small garden opposite. The most outstanding feature of this gardenis a monument made from copper pipes, accompanied by a small pond. Dear friends, did you know that apart from adding greenery to the area, this garden also serves afeng shui purpose: to block the road’s destructive energy? Don’t believe us? The next time you pass by the Istana, just look towards the garden from the main entrance! However, this structure also resembles the bars of a cage, trapping the “lion” in this feng shui formation. How, then, can this lion go far?

As we are celebrating Singpore’s Golden Jubilee and reflecting on our achievements, our founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew has already left us. Prior to his departure, Mr Lee had already instructed in his will that his official residence, locatedin a prime commercial district, should be demolished to make way for development. The Orchard Road and Istanaregion is a rare feng shuitreasure that benefits the economy’s long-term development. Hence, isn’t it better for this place to be a commercial rather than a political district? However, for privacy and secuity reasons, the government imposes a height limit on buildings around the area, and whenever foreign delegates visit theIstana, roads have to be closed and traffic is obstructed. Doesn’t this also seem to stall our economic growth in some way?

For the “Lion” to escape this quandary and for the economy to grow even stronger, moving the location of the Istana is an option to seriously consider. But is there a more suitable place for the Istana? Definitely! We’ll tell you more in the next instalment in this series.