MALAY HERITAGE CENTRE
Mr Wong on Sunday also revealed that the Malay Heritage Centre, which had been temporarily closed since October 2022, will reopen next year.
The centre had been closed for restoration and redevelopment works.
The centre, in a joint statement with the National Heritage Board, said it is currently in the final stages of works and will reopen its doors on Apr 25, 2026.
Mr Wong said the revamped centre will feature “galleries and programmes to showcase the richness and vibrancy of our Singaporean Malay culture”.
The centre is located within the grounds of Istana Kampong Gelam, which was originally built in the 1800s. Its last major redevelopment took place in 2011.
When it is reopened, the centre’s permanent galleries will showcase a “refreshed narrative” with updated content and new artefacts, incorporating new research findings, stories and objects from the community, the factsheet read.
“The refresh will also enhance the representation of Malay ethnic sub-groups through various ways such as material culture and writing systems, encouraging visitors to see Malay heritage as a rich multifaceted tapestry,” said the centre and NHB in the factsheet.
Visitors can also expect to see newly commissioned works by local emerging and established Malay artists to complement this refreshed narrative.