Forum: Penalties must deter irreversible loss of heritage value in conserved buildings
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I refer to the article “Owner, construction firm fined for unauthorised works on conserved shophouse in Little India” (April 22).
The case is deeply troubling. A century-old conserved shophouse lost key architectural features due to unauthorised works, resulting in what the authorities described as an “irreversible loss of heritage value”.
Fines were imposed, but the loss goes far beyond what financial penalties can address.
Our conserved buildings are not merely physical structures; they are tangible links to Singapore’s history and identity.
Once original elements are destroyed, they cannot truly be restored, only replaced with replicas that lack authenticity.
I would like to suggest that the Government review the laws to ensure that penalties for such offences serve as a strong and effective deterrent.
The consequences must be sufficiently severe to discourage owners and contractors from blatantly undertaking unauthorised works in the first place.
If penalties are not calibrated to prevent such actions, similar incidents may continue to occur, leading to the gradual and irreversible erosion of our shared heritage.
Mohamad Nurhafiz Mohd Noor
