Singapore's 'Long Island' reclamation project: 5 other names that raised eyebrows

SINGAPORE: Singapore announced on Tuesday (Nov 28) potential plans for a project on its eastern coast which would see about 800ha of land reclaimed in the form of a "Long Island".

While the announcement sparked conversations about property, the project's impact on the environment and the future of sea sports at East Coast Park, what caught the attention of some social media users was the island's very literal name.

Some called for a better and more original name, noting that there is already a particularly famous Long Island in New York. Others made references to a strong cocktail that bears the name - the Long Island Iced Tea.

The name "Long Island", however, is by no means set in stone.

"'Long Island' is currently a working title for the project, referencing the original concept of a long island off the east coast as shared in the Concept Plan 1991," a URA spokesperson told CNA.

"As part of our public engagement, we will be seeking feedback and ideas from Singaporeans on the plans, including potential names."

Regardless of what moniker eventually sticks for the project, Singapore has a history of coming up with place names that end up receiving mixed reviews. Here is a look back at five others that raised eyebrows.

MARINA BAY

As Singapore geared up to market the Marina Bay area to international developers in the mid-2000s, it was decided that a new name was needed for the precinct - "Marina Bay" being an informal name at the time.

The brand consultancy Interbrand was engaged to identify this name, and after running about 400 options through market tests, focus group discussions and consultations in a process that cost S$400,000 (about US$300,000 today), they decided that the best name for Marina Bay was "Marina Bay".

In its annual report for the 2005-2006 financial year, URA said: "Extensive research and consultation with a diverse group of stakeholders over nine months showed that both the local and international audience were familiar with the 'Marina Bay' name."

The exercise drew criticism and ridicule from bloggers and forum users, who described it as a waste of money.

BUDGET TERMINAL

Around the time of the Marina Bay episode, Changi Airport's new "customised terminal for low-cost carriers" also needed a name, and so the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) held a naming contest.

CAAS received about 12,000 entries, and the name eventually chosen for the budget airline terminal was "Budget Terminal".

"This was picked by a panel of judges as it succinctly reflects the terminal's purpose, which is to provide simple airport facilities at a lower cost to its users," Changi Airport and CAAS said as they announced the terminal's completion in early 2006.

The winning entry was submitted by a 15-year-old student named Jonathan Sng, who was rewarded with S$2,000 in cash and a 3G mobile phone.

While Marina Bay would eventually become an iconic name, the fate of the Budget Terminal was more mundane.

It closed in September 2012 and was demolished the following year to make way for Terminal 4.

THE HELIX

In 2008, URA held a public consultation exercise to determine the name of a new bridge that was taking shape over Marina Bay.

With the bridge's distinctive design drawing inspiration from the double helix structure of DNA, it was unsurprising that the names "The Double Helix" and "The DNA Bridge" were put forward by the authority.

With much fanfare, Singapore's longest pedestrian bridge officially opened in 2010 as "The Helix".

Social media users were not impressed.

"Is anyone surprised at the creativity?" a Facebook user asked.

"The world's first double-helix bridge will be called ... The Helix. OK. Wow. Thought the name would be something non-obvious," wrote one Twitter user.

"Think I shall name my sofa, The Sofa. After they named the double-helix bridge - The Helix," tweeted another.

COMPASS ONE

Sengkang became the site of some controversy in late 2015 when the management of Compass Point decided to rename the mall amid a major revamp.

A naming competition called the "Give us our new name" contest was held, and "1 Sengkang Mall" emerged as the winning entry. It was submitted by a Ms Lee Sook Fong, who walked away with S$1,000 in cash.

The winning name was, in fact, first announced as "Sengkang Mall" in a Facebook post, with the "1" added later. The other names in contention were: Sengkang Central Mall, One Sengkang, Sengkang Square, One Sengkang Square, Sengkang One, #1 Sengkang Square and 1SM.

Many on social media mocked the new name – calling it "simplistic", "boring" and something that a child could come up with – and urged the mall's management to keep the "Compass Point" name.

One Reddit user remarked: "This is in line with the effort to make Singapore the most boring place on earth."

In response to feedback, the mall's management would eventually go with the name "Compass One". The mall's previous nautical theme was jettisoned, however.

CONEY ISLAND

While the Long Island project has triggered complaints that Singapore is trying to mimic New York, this is not the first time that accusations of borrowing from the Big Apple have been thrown about.

The same thing happened in 2015, when Coney Island Park opened to the public.

Also known as Pulau Serangoon, and formerly Haw Par Island when it was owned by brothers Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par of Tiger Balm fame, it was assumed by some that Coney Island got its name from the New York entertainment district.

They were in all likelihood correct, but the rebranding of the island off Singapore's northeastern coast had actually taken place 65 years earlier.

In April 1950, the Straits Times reported that negotiations for the sale of Haw Par Island to a businessman named Ghulam Mahmood had been completed.

"A S$100,000 'Coney Island'" was to be built there, the paper said, describing Mr Mahmood's plans to turn the island into a "pleasure resort for the people of Singapore".

It was to have "facilities for swimming, boating, fishing (and) all kinds of outdoor and indoor sports" as well as a skating rink and a main building with a restaurant and bar, a dance hall and rooms.

"The island, which will be called the 'Singapore Coney Island', is to cater mainly for working and middle-class people," Mr Mahmood said. 

While New York's Coney Island is not mentioned by name in contemporary reports about Singapore's available online, the term popped up during that era to describe other leisure and amusement facilities in the then colony, while the British seaside resort town of Blackpool was described as the "Coney Island of England".

Incidentally, there is another island linked with the name "Coney" located within Singapore's territorial waters – Coney Islet or Island was an earlier name for Pulau Satumu, where Raffles Lighthouse is located.