THE Sarawak Heritage Bill 2019 was passed unanimously yesterday to provide for a workable system to address preservation and conservation of the state’s heritage. The Bill was tabled by Tourism Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman to replace the Sarawak Cultural Heritage Ordinance 1993 (Chap 6).
Besides giving better protection to the state’s heritage, the Bill sought to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the newly established statutory body known as Sarawak Heritage Council.
He also told the legislature that the Bill would compel the administration to shoulder greater responsibilities.
“The administration contains under Part 2 shall establish a body known as Sarawak Heritage Council which will advise the government on matters of policy, strategy and action plan related to administration and management of heritage in Sarawak,” he said.
Further, there will be a trust fund to be set up to assist owners to preserve heritage buildings.
“Sarawak Heritage Trust Fund will provide financial assistance to owners of heritage buildings, historical monuments or sites,” he said.
The Bill would improve the provision for regulating underwater heritage. “The provisions related to underwater heritage which are under Part VII of the Bill are necessary to address recent findings submerged in water bodies. This provision will guide the museum director concerning discoveries.
Explaining the roles of enforcement authority, Abdul Karim said the Bill would also empower police and Customs officers to enforce the new ordinance.
“It will also empower them to investigate, search, seize and arrest persons who alleged commit offences related to heritage preservation,” he said.
It is learnt that the law would impose penalties for various offences ranging from a minimum fine of RM6,000 to the maximum of RM100,000, or imprisonment not less than five years and not exceeding 10 years.
