Rilek1Corner

Tag: NHB

  • URA And NHB Unlikely To Allow Oxley Rise Site To Be Redeveloped In Manner Which Diminishes Historical Significance

    URA And NHB Unlikely To Allow Oxley Rise Site To Be Redeveloped In Manner Which Diminishes Historical Significance

    Should the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s house in Oxley Road be demolished, the Government is unlikely to allow the site to be redeveloped in a way that would diminish its historical significance.

    The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and National Heritage Board (NHB) said this in a joint statement yesterday, in response to a commentary in The Straits Times last Friday suggesting greater public involvement when selecting buildings for conservation and preservation.

    The late Mr Lee had stated in his will his wish for his house to be demolished to avoid it becoming a museum. But because his daughter, Dr Lee Wei Ling, has decided to continue living there, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Parliament on April 13 that there is no need for the Government to make any decision now on the property.

    In their statement yesterday, the URA and NHB said the Government will take into consideration very seriously the wishes of the late Mr Lee regarding the future plans for the house. “In view of the historical significance of the property, if a decision is made to allow for the demolition of the house, the Government is likely to disallow the site to be redeveloped in a way that would diminish its historical significance, for example, for commercial or intensive residential development.”

    The agencies also noted that the area is planned as a low-rise residential precinct and zoned two-storey mixed landed. The Planning Act requires building owners to seek the URA’s approval before they carry out work to demolish, redevelop or make additions and alterations to their properties.

    Under the Preservation of Monuments Act, the NHB draws advice from its panel of experts comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds in the people, private and public sectors. The NHB also engages owners to seek their support to preserve their properties.

    In the ST commentary, (“Mr Lee’s house a chance for due process”), Mr Terence Chong and Mr Yeo Kang Shua wrote that “a state agency must decide (if it is a heritage-significant house) to trigger legal protection for the house”, citing the URA and NHB as the two agencies with the “legal tools and institutional capacity” to ensure that due process is carried out.

    They also acknowledged the “emotional dilemma” such a decision would cause to loved ones.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • Archaeological Digs Show That Singapore Has Established Government In 14th Century

    Archaeological Digs Show That Singapore Has Established Government In 14th Century

    Archaeological digs show that Singapore had an established government as early as the 14th century.

    A 10-week long archaeological dig was conducted at the Empress Place and which ended on Sunday. It was led by archaeologist Lim Chen Sian.

    The dig unearthed artefacts such as Chinese imperial grade ceramics which were given by the Ming Dynasty emperor Hong Wu to rulers overseas. Hong Wu ruled China from 1375 and 1425.

    The dig also 700-year-old timber planks which researchers believe meant that maritime activity existed in ancient Temasek.

    “The timber was likely part of a structure of an ancient ship and the workmanship is typical of the South-east Asian style of ship building. We’ve always known about Temasek’s maritime activity but we’ve never had physical evidence of this until now,”Mr Lim said.

    Other than these, there were also thousands of Chinese coins from 700 years ago as well as stoneware used to store condiments.

    Porcelain pieces from the Yuan Dynasty were also found.

    Not only were 14th and 15th century artefacts found, the dig also showed up a gold coin from the 16th to 17th when Singapore was part of the Johor Sultanate, which is a rare find.

    This led Mr Lim to believe that the current Empress Place site used to be a bazaar or market place.

    As the archaeological team found artefacts beyond their expectations, they have been given another month to continue digging in other zones at the site.

    The excavation was organised by the National Heritage Board (NHB) in partnership with the Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. It started on February 2.

    NHB will decide what to do with the artefacts later on.

     

    Source: www.therealsingapore.com

  • Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque Designated As National Monument

    Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque Designated As National Monument

    The Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque has been gazetted as Singapore’s 68th national monument. Opened in 1932 by the Alkaffs, a prominent Arab family in Singapore, the mosque is the sixth mosque to be accorded this status by the National Heritage Board (NHB).

    In a press release on Thursday (Dec 18), NHB said Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque “serves as a reminder of the Arab community’s significant presence and contributions to society in pre-war Singapore”. NHB added that the mosque is also the only identified landmark attributed to the Alkaffs which has remained largely intact over the years.

    Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque is managed by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) today, and continues to be well used by the local Muslim community living nearby, said NHB. NHB also said the mosque has retained most of its earliest structure despite undergoing several expansions and renovations.

    Mr Mohd Helmy Isa, director of mosques at MUIS, said: “We are honoured that Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque has been gazetted as a national monument.

    “Working with the Mosque Management Committee, we were able to conserve features and preserve its heritage while adding to its functionality to meet the needs of its growing congregants. With the preservation, Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque will continue to be a hub of activities for the local Muslim community.”

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com