AS A heritage lover, I was overjoyed to read about Botanic Gardens' success ("Botanic Gardens' Unesco bid in final stage"; March 8).
I hope that besides this, Singaporeans will also remember our heritage pioneers, specifically, the handful of government employees working behind the scenes to save Singapore's heritage buildings.
Five Singapore buildings received Unesco Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation awards between 2001 and 2010: Thian Hock Keng Temple, Chijmes, the old St Andrew's School, 733 Mountbatten Road, and Hong San See Temple (the only Singapore monument to receive the apex Award of Excellence).
The awards affirm the collective work of the officers of the Preservation of Monuments Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority's conservation department.
These officers worked passionately with the owners of old heritage buildings for months to plan and implement policies, coupled with building repairs and rehabilitation solutions, to save and restore Singapore's beautiful built heritage.
As Singaporeans celebrate SG50 and commemorate our nation's many achievements, it is time we recognised and honoured these officers for their world-class work and repeated Unesco achievements.
I propose that the Prime Minister's Office look into recognising these officers with National Day awards. Their work, which garnered five Unesco awards, is a remarkable feat of meritorious achievement.
Lim Weijun
I hope that besides this, Singaporeans will also remember our heritage pioneers, specifically, the handful of government employees working behind the scenes to save Singapore's heritage buildings.
Five Singapore buildings received Unesco Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation awards between 2001 and 2010: Thian Hock Keng Temple, Chijmes, the old St Andrew's School, 733 Mountbatten Road, and Hong San See Temple (the only Singapore monument to receive the apex Award of Excellence).
The awards affirm the collective work of the officers of the Preservation of Monuments Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority's conservation department.
These officers worked passionately with the owners of old heritage buildings for months to plan and implement policies, coupled with building repairs and rehabilitation solutions, to save and restore Singapore's beautiful built heritage.
As Singaporeans celebrate SG50 and commemorate our nation's many achievements, it is time we recognised and honoured these officers for their world-class work and repeated Unesco achievements.
I propose that the Prime Minister's Office look into recognising these officers with National Day awards. Their work, which garnered five Unesco awards, is a remarkable feat of meritorious achievement.
Lim Weijun
