NHB to explore ways to better showcase natural heritage

Straits Times Forum 10 Jun 09;

WE REFER to Miss Jane Lim's and Ms Katherine Murray's comments on conserving and showcasing Singapore's natural history heritage (The Straits Times, June 5 and June 6 respectively).

We thank them for their interest in preserving and promoting Singapore's heritage and culture.

In providing museum visitors with a diverse and vibrant cultural mix, the National Heritage Board (NHB) has over the years worked closely with the 52 Museum Roundtable (MR) members in Singapore through various campaigns and outreach platforms.

Your writers will be glad to know that during the recent International Museum Day, our collaboration with the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity (RMBR) helped attract some 3,000 visitors to RMBR on May 24.

Singapore has a vibrant museum and heritage sector. The 52 public and private museums hosted 5.2 million visitors in the 2007-2008 financial year. This is a testament to the synergy between both public and private museums, which offer visitors a myriad of unique and fascinating cultural and historical destinations.

Singapore is a melting pot of diverse cultures and ethnic groups which our citizens embrace. With its unique identity, there is a need to promote public awareness and appreciation of our heritage and history through a wide variety of programmes.

Our rich natural history is as important as all other aspects of Singapore's heritage. It is hoped that through strong public-private partnerships, NHB can synergistically nurture the growth and develop quality programmes for our audiences in collaboration with the MR members like RMBR.

We recognise that RMBR has an extensive collection of flora and fauna as well as strong research, education and outreach programmes.

NHB is committed and open to working closely with RMBR to further explore ways in which we can better showcase Singapore's rich natural history heritage.

Cheryl Koh (Ms)
Deputy Director
Corporate Communications & Industry Promotion Division
National Heritage Board