Preservation of Monuments (Amendment) Bill

The Preservation of Monuments (Amendment) Bill aims to enhance the protection of monuments in Singapore by broadening the definition to include open spaces and inland waters. The bill introduces immediate protection for sites designated as proposed national monuments through a notice of intention from the Minister. It grants the Director of National Monuments and Monument Inspectors the authority to enforce rules, including forced entry without a warrant under specific conditions to investigate contraventions. The bill makes corresponding changes to the National Heritage Board Act to align definitions and clarify roles regarding archaeological investigations. It is designed to ensure that responsible agencies can effectively manage and protect national and proposed national monuments without incurring additional government expenditures.