Lawmakers call for preventive measures towards cultural heritage

Source： Macau Daily Times Date：2013-04-08

The discussion on the draft law on Cultural Heritage Protection continued yesterday, during which the recent fire at Na Tcha Temple was put on the table for discussion. Lawmakers believe the government is also responsible for protecting heritage sites from damage.

The draft law stipulates that when heritage structures are confronted with danger or damage, it is the legal duty for owners, tenants, users or holders to inform the Cultural Affairs Bureau immediately. However the AL Committee members that met yesterday pointed out at the meeting that the Bureau itself is also liable to take preventive methods to protect buildings against such damage. “Can the Bureau take the recent fire at Na Tcha Temple as an example? The government can place fireproof boxes to store offerings or set up fire alarm systems in advance,” said Cheang Chi Keong, President of the 3rd Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly (AL).

For those who fail to notify the authority of danger, fines would be imposed, with individual offenders potentially having to pay MOP20,000 to MOP100,000, while business entities would have to pay up to MOP500,000, as stated by the President.

The other focus of this meeting, as Cheang said, was the 35th article that bans graffiti or posting on properties that have been assessed and found to possess historic or artistic value.

In the discussion, the Cultural Affairs Bureau believes a strong ban should be imposed. However, committee members expressed their concern that the protection of these buildings or structures, if not dealt with properly, would destroy business environments that already exist peripherally. “[Take for example] some historical buildings at Rua de Cinco de Outubro, where people are actually doing business inside the structure. We hope the new protection proposed by the government would not affect the current status and not disturb residents there,” said Cheang. But he said there is no disagreement between legislators and the government.

Government representatives responded at the meeting that the authority did not mean to expand the range of heritage structures that are already protected by government decrees made two decades ago, but cultural heritage structures nowadays are lacking in adequate management, and as such they are searching for legal supports to stop such acts as graffiti or posting ads on these buildings. Head of the Cultural Bureau Ung Vai Meng was present at the discussion session, expressing the wish to gain greater legal support to improve their future work.

Graffiti, or posting on structures that are already included on the protection list will be punishable after the new law comes into effect, either with a fine of up to MOP50,000 for individuals and up to MOP500,000 for entities.