SINGAPORE – The refreshed Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) traces the journey of the Malay community from its diverse regional roots to a shared sense of home in Singapore, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
This is reflected in the theme of the newly reopened centre – dari rantau ke rumah (Malay for “from region to home”), he said at its official reopening held in Kampong Gelam on April 25.
“This Malay heritage is not monolithic. It is rich and diverse – made up of many groups with roots across the region, of course people from the Malay Peninsula itself, but also Javanese, Bugis, Minangkabau and others. Each with its own traditions and customs, and yet over time, these distinct strands have come together here in Singapore,” he said.
What has emerged, he added, is a distinctly Singaporean Malay culture.
“It draws from the richness of the wider Malay world – its traditions, customs, and beliefs, which have been passed down from our region to our nation, and across generations. But importantly, it is shaped and defined by our shared experiences as Singaporeans,” he said.
PM Wong said that Malay culture continues to flourish in Singapore, “from the pantun (poem) we heard earlier to the batik and songket (a traditional, luxurious handwoven fabric) worn with pride”.
“But even the most meaningful institutions must evolve. And that is why over time, we decided that the centre needed to be refreshed. Partly out of necessity because this is an old building and its facilities needed upgrading. But importantly, to enable it to better fulfil its mission as a living centre for Singapore Malay culture,” he said.
The centre is no longer just a museum or a heritage centre, but “a living part of our Singapore story”, he added.
