|
The Al-Abrar Mosque in Telok Ayer Street is one of the 55 gazetted national monuments which may stand to benefit from the new assistance scheme, which will be launched this year. -- PHOTO: BUSINESS TIMES
|
Religious and non-profit national monuments might soon get a helping hand in their upkeep.
The Government is setting aside $5 million over the next five years - or $1 million each year - to help owners of such buildings patch up possible structural defects, though not to assist in routine maintenance work.
The bottom line: They have to be urgent and necessary repairs.
The new assistance scheme - the National Monuments Fund - will be launched by the Preservation of Monuments Board (PMB) this year, said Senior Minister of State for Education and Information, Communications and the Arts Lui Tuck Yew yesterday.
Designed to provide financial help in conserving the 55 gazetted national monuments, the fund could benefit iconic buildings like the Armenian Church in Hill Street and the Jamae Mosque in South Bridge Road.
Monuments are gazetted based on their architectural, social and historical significance.
Rear-Admiral (NS) Lui said he hopes to see more people and private-sector firms support preservation efforts.
'It is important for society to demonstrate that we recognise it is partly our collective responsibility to help preserve and cherish those monuments, not just for the present, but for the future as well,' he said at the launch of the fifth Singapore HeritageFest at Causeway Point Shopping Centre yesterday.
The money will be given based on needs, with 30 religious and non-profit monuments already singled out as possible recipients.
The PMB will meet once a year to decide on the allocation of funds, distributed on a co-funding basis, although it is prepared to be flexible when it comes to exceptional cases.
It will release more details later this month.
Dr Yeo Kang Shua, who works as an architectural consultant at the PMB, said restoration of monuments is not just the state's responsibility but also the owner's.
'However, since they are part of our heritage, the state is willing to assist them,' he said.
Heritage buffs also applaud the move, although they say that much more can be done.
Mr Dinesh Naidu, an architectural writer, said: 'This is definitely a historical and important step. The owners of such monuments are providing a public good and it is good that the Government is finally assisting them.'
However, he suggested extending such a scheme so that owners of such monuments will not have to worry about their upkeep after the five years have passed.
esthert@sph.com.sg
Which national monument do you think is in great need of a spruce-up? Send your comments to suntimes@sph.com.sg
|
