[CPProt.net] Malaysia: Plan to protect heritage, bill seeks RM190m for 20, 000 buildings

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Plan to protect heritage, bill seeks RM190m for 20,000 buildings 
Chuah Bee Kim 

July 26, 2005

JOHOR BARU, Mon.
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An allocation of RM190 million is being sought under the Ninth Malaysia Plan
to preserve 20,000 heritage buildings throughout the country. 
Deputy Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Wong Kam Hong said the allocation
would be sought under the Heritage Bill, to be tabled in Parliament in
September.

The Bill, if approved, will replace the Museum and Antiquities Act 1976,
which does not provide much safeguard against the destruction of historical
buildings.

"Under the Bill, very old buildings, musical manuscripts and other items of
historical value will be protected," Wong said, adding that this was vital
for future generations.

"Recent findings revealed that 80 per cent of Chinese tourism is based on
culture and heritage.

"The tourism industry will receive a shot-in-the-arm as tourists are more
interested in learning about the culture and heritage of a destination than
seeing skyscrapers."

Wong urged the private sector to also play a leading role in contributing to
the preservation of the nation's culture and heritage.

The ministry has also pledged RM100,000 to the Johor Baru Chinese (Tiong
Hua) Association for the upkeep of the temple in Jalan Trus here, built by
Chinese immigrants more than 135 years ago.

Association chairman Yap Yee Min said the funds would be used to build a
small museum behind the temple to house historic artefacts such as a bronze
bell and joss-stick pot, both dating back to the 1800s.

He said the former Wisma Tiong Hua Association building in Jalan Meldrum
would also be transformed into a heritage museum to record the history of
the Chinese community in Johor.