Debated in Parliament on 13 May 2013.
Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) in the last five years, how many owners and users of gazetted national monuments have utilised the Tax Exemption Scheme for Donations to National Monuments and what is the total value of tax exemptions granted; (b) how much has been disbursed through the National Monuments Fund in the last five years for the restoration of national monuments; and (c) whether more can be done to promote the use of existing schemes to preserve and enhance our national monuments.
Ms Janice Koh asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) how much money has been raised through the Tax Exemption Scheme for Donations to National Monuments over the last five years; (b) whether the scheme has been effective in helping the owners of national monuments raise funds and donations for the restoration works of their buildings; and (c) other than financial assistance, whether the Preservation of Monuments Board provides owners of national monuments with technical advice on maintaining historic buildings, including access to architectural conservation specialists for consultation.
Since 2008, 12 owners or tenants of National Monuments have tapped on the Tax Exemption Scheme for donations. To date, about $4.5 million has been raised, and, correspondingly, about $10.5 million worth of tax exemptions have been granted. The scheme has helped owners raise funds for necessary restoration works, such as structural repairs to roofs and walls, to ensure that the integrity of our National Monuments remains protected. The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Siong Lim Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple and Abdul Gafoor Mosque are some of the Monuments that have benefited from this Tax Exemption Scheme.
In addition to the Tax Exemption Scheme, the Preservation of Monuments Board (PMB) also launched the National Monuments Fund (NMF) in 2008 to further assist National Monument owners with the costs of restoration or extraordinary repairs beyond the scope of normal maintenance. Since its launch, a total of $3.6 million has been disbursed.
The PMB makes use of various platforms, such as its annual tea session with Monument owners, to encourage applications for the NMF or Tax Exemption Scheme. The PMB also uses periodic monitoring and site inspections to help identify monuments which require restoration, and to identify suitable candidates for grant application each year.
In addition to financial assistance through the various schemes, the PMB also provides assistance to Monument owners on various other aspects of the restoration process, including technical advice on the restoration works, as well as general advice on issues, such as fund-raising and internal coordination.
The PMB will continue to promote the NMF and Tax Exemption Scheme to owners of National Monuments and work with them to preserve and enhance our National Monuments.
PAPERCUTS