SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the revamped Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) in Kampong Gelam now charts the Malay community’s journey “from region to home,” reflecting its diverse roots across the Malay world and its evolution into a distinctly Singaporean Malay identity. At the official reopening on April 25, he highlighted that the theme dari rantau ke rumah captures how groups from the Malay Peninsula, Java, Bugis, Minangkabau and other parts of the region have woven together distinct traditions into a shared Singaporean Malay culture that continues to thrive in pantun, batik and songket.
PM Wong stressed that institutions must evolve, and the MHC’s renovation—partly driven by the need to upgrade an old building—aims to transform it from a static museum into a living centre for Singapore Malay culture. Located in Istana Kampong Gelam, once home to descendants of Sultan Hussein Shah of Johor, the centre now uses immersive multimedia installations and curated spaces to engage younger visitors, helping them connect the past with contemporary Singaporean identity.
The Prime Minister also lauded the enduring contributions of Singaporean Malays such as composer Zubir Said, national anthem writer and prolific Malay songwriter; Puan Noor Aishah, wife of Singapore’s first president Yusof Ishak and a champion of Malay heritage; and pioneer Madam Saleha Mohd Shah, the first female editor of a Malay fashion magazine. He said the refreshed MHC will bring their stories to life so new generations can learn from their values.
PM Wong urged the MHC to deepen cross‑community collaborations through dialogues, joint cultural programmes and performances, and to work closely with Kampong Gelam stakeholders to keep the precinct vibrant. The Government, he added, will continue supporting heritage businesses and cultural activities. Dr Norshahril Saat, chairman of the Malay Heritage Foundation, said the revamped centre will launch a nine‑day festival starting with a 300‑participant parade on April 25, underscoring the MHC’s new role as a dynamic space where Malay culture is preserved, experienced and shared.