Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Baey Yam Keng spoke during Committee of Supply Debate on Thursday (9 March) that National Heritage Board (NHB) plans to publish the first edition of the Heritage Plan in early 2018, with an update every 5 years.
The Minister said that NHB will be developing a comprehensive national blueprint for Singapore's heritage sector.
He said that the Heritage Plan for Singapore will set out the national vision and action plans for a museum and heritage landscape that will foster a stronger sense of belonging and identity among our people.
"One aspect of the Heritage Plan that NHB will be looking at is policy and legislative reviews that will enable us to better conduct the task of archaeology in Singapore," Mr Baey said, adding that this will contribute towards a fuller picture of Singapore’s history, going much further than half a century of independence.
He then told members that they may recall the 2015 archaeological excavation at Empress Place where the Government uncovered some 3.5 tonnes of artefacts from 14th century Singapore, or more accurately, Temasek. The 300 to 500 copper coins from different time periods in imperial China, 12th century Ceylon, and coins used by the Dutch East India
He stated that the 300 to 500 copper coins from different time periods in imperial China, 12th century Ceylon, and coins used by the Dutch East India Company, suggest that 14th century Temasek had been a well-established international trading hub. In the absence of written records, these artefacts provide clues to the kinds of activities that took place on our island.
"In the absence of written records, these artefacts provide clues to the kinds of activities that took place on our island," he noted.
Mr Baey then said that the Heritage Plan aims to nurture an active community which takes ownership of our heritage. We will seek the views of different groups of stakeholders and different segments of society on a wide range of topics such as heritage preservation, heritage education and promotion, and making heritage spaces and programmes more accessible and inclusive.
"We will seek the views of different groups of stakeholders and different segments of society on a wide range of topics such as heritage preservation, heritage education and promotion, and making heritage spaces and programmes more accessible and inclusive," he noted.
The Minister also said that over the next few months, NHB will continue to hold engagement sessions with heritage stakeholders and partners, including academia, experts, industry practitioners, community and heritage groups, youths, volunteers and educators.
He added that Singaporeans will also be invited to provide their views on the Plan later this year at public roadshows, online platforms and other channels.