FIRST it was ex-Miss Singapore World 2009 Ris Low who gave up her throne over a credit card conviction.

Netizens were aghast with her command of English and some even commented on her lack of intelligence.

Now, they have turned on Low’s replacement Pilar Carmelita Arlando, with even harsher comments, saying that she has zero IQ!

Just as the 20-year-old diploma student was getting ready for the Miss World finals in South Africa, a video clip of her being interviewed by Razor TV caught the attention of the people.

She appeared to be ignorant over general issues pertaining to her country.

In the interview, Arlando – who is pursuing her Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management course – and a few other pageant contestants were asked to answer five questions pertaining to the country.

She got three correct, one of which was on her second attempt.

But what became the big joke was that she had thought that the Merlion had actually existed but became extinct in 1965, Sin Chew Daily reported.

“I have no idea. (laugh) Hmm ... Merlion ... 1965?” she answered.

In fact, the Merlion is just an imaginary creature created as a trademark for the Singapore Tourism Board.

Arlando also got the age of the republic wrong. When asked how old Singapore is this year, she answered: “Oh dear, 47... 48... 49?”

And she only managed to mention the name Yusof Ishak in her second attempts to answer the question: “Name Singapore’s first President.”

The beauty queen, however, is quite sensitive to the opening of a new shopping mall and the transportation route.

The two questions she got right were to name the shopping mall that had just opened and the MRT station near Raffles City.

Arlando, who had been one of the favourites to win the crown, only managed to become second runner-up.

She is, however, lucky as Low was forced to relinquish her crown while first runner-up Claire Lee had a chronic back problem.