Preservation of "Battle Box" at Fort Canning Park and Ammunition Store at Labrador Park

Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts whether his Ministry will consider helping to fund and upkeep the historically important "Battle Box" at Fort Canning Park as well as the ammunition store at Labrador Park in view of their key roles in Singapore's history during the Second World War.

The Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien) (for the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts): Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank Mr Christopher de Souza for his interest in the "Battle Box" at Fort Canning and the ammunition store at Labrador Park, which I agree are historically significant, given the roles they played during World War II.

As part of the National Heritage Board's (NHB's) continuing efforts to promote heritage awareness, a heritage marker had been placed at "Battle Box", and another one at Labrador Park. Together with 18 other World War Two markers, they form the World War II Heritage Trail launched this year. "Battle Box" is now a private museum managed by The Legends Fort Canning Park Private Limited. Rich in flora and fauna, the Labrador Park also contains historical relics from the Second World War and has been incorporated into a nature reserve by the National Parks Board (NParks). The ammunition store is currently one of the landmarks along the nature trail, and is managed by the company GreenTube Technology Private Limited.

Page: 378

To address Mr de Souza's question on funding support, the two private companies can apply to NHB's Heritage Industry Incentive Programme (Hi2P), which aims to assist private museums in upgrading their galleries and programmes as part of the objective to develop, enhance and grow private and people sector players in the heritage eco-system. Under the scheme, NHB can support up to a maximum of 50% of the qualifying costs incurred, which is capped at $100,000 per project.

Given the historic significance of the two sites, NHB is ready to consider the funding requests from the two companies favourably, if the companies wish to improve visitor experience and are in need of financial support to do so.

Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank the Senior Minister of State for her comprehensive reply. My clarification, Sir, is borne out of the great significance of these two historic sites. If one visits them, one would be able to see Kempeitai writings on the walls of "Battle Box" and also a discussion leading to the surrender of Singapore which is very important for our National Servicemen to understand. Therefore, arising out of the 50% cost cap and the cap of $100,000 for running costs, in my humble view, it is quite low, especially given the important historical nature of the ammunition dump in Labrador Park and the "Battle Box" at Fort Canning. Would there be an open ness on the National Heritage Board or MICA's front to raise that quantum? I have visited both sites and I have seen, unfortunately, a depreciation in the quality of the experience over the last few years, especially for visitors.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Mr Speaker, Sir, thank you for the opportunity to clarify. I think I see two questions here. One is the quantum of the programme itself and the other is the state of maintenance. I would like to clarify to the House that for these two projects, we have been speaking or discussing the possibility with the operators. So far, the operators have not expressed any interest in tapping on the Government funds. So, the issue about funding has not arisen, and has not been addressed because we need to get them interested to want to co-invest with us in this exhibition. The reason for the co-investment is that we like to see private museum operators taking an interest in having a stake in the site so that there is an investment, so that there is an ownership of the exhibition.

As to whether MICA or NHB will review and reconsider the significance of the two sites and elevated it to something else: at this moment we have gone through an evaluation programme and it did not meet the standards that is required by the Preservation of Monuments Board's criteria. But, as with most things, we will review it from time to time and we will definitely consider Mr de Souza's suggestions.

On the state of maintenance, I would just like to clarify that the operators are obliged to observe the terms and conditions listed in the leases with NParks. I would like to bring this up with my NParks and MND colleagues and make sure that there is constant monitoring of the state of maintenance at these two sites.

Page: 379

Mr Speaker: Mr de Souza, last question.

Mr Christopher de Souza: Mr Speaker, Sir, thank you. I do not want to belabour the point, I would like to ask a clarification on if there is no private operator who is willing to do this, then it would be my humble view that MICA does their bit and actually continues to keep these sites open, notwithstanding a private operator not wanting to have a go of it and not being able to make a profit out of it. If I am not mistaken, the ammunition store in Labrador Park does not run tours anymore unlike a few years ago. I hope that for military heritage's sake in Singapore that these sites will be opened, notwithstanding private operators not willing to operate them.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: We note his support on these two sites. As I have said, we will review this from time to time and this is something that we will bear in mind.