An appreciation of the Malay world through arts and culture

Dr Suriani Suratman, Vice-Chair of the Malay Heritage Foundation
Ladies and Gentlemen

Mencari timba si anak dara,
Di bawah sarang burung tempua;
Salam sembah pembuka bicara,
Selamat datang untuk semua. 

Salam sejahtera dan selamat datang ke Taman Warisan Melayu untuk menyaksikan majlis perasmian Pesta Budaya Melayu 2014 (Dua Ribu Empat Belas) dan juga Pameran Budi Daya.  

1. I am very happy to be here this evening, to open this year’s Malay CultureFest. We are also launching the Budi Daya exhibition, which marks a special occasion for the Malay Heritage Centre as the Centre’s first presentation of contemporary art. Congratulations to the team on yet another milestone!

2. I am heartened to see so many of you here today. It goes to show that all Singaporeans – regardless of our race and ethnicity – are drawn to the appeal of Malay arts and culture. And quite rightly so. It is a rich culture that is both steeped in history, and alive and relevant in the present day. Without an awareness and appreciation of the Malay world, it is impossible to understand Singapore’s own identity and our place in the region and beyond.

3. Tonight’s venue was once the royal palace of Singapore’s last Sultans: the Istana Kampong Glam. The kingdom of the Sultans, known as the Johor-Riau Sultanate, included modern-day Johor, Riau, Batu Pahat, Singapore and many other regions. So if you are interested in tracing the roots of Malay history and culture, this is a very meaningful and fitting place to start.

Expansion of curatorial scope

4. Today, Istana Kampong Glam is home to the Malay Heritage Centre. The Centre works tirelessly to engage all visitors on the heritage of our Malay community. This is generally done through the lens of Singapore, against the backdrop of our multi-cultural, multi-racial society, with a view to better understanding our communities, our history and our home. But over the years, the Centre has also built up a wealth of expertise on the movement and activities of the Malay people throughout the wider archipelago. For example, it has documented and curated content that links Singapore to Sultanates, Empires and the larger Malay world across the span of centuries.

5. In the coming years, the Centre will strengthen this focus on Singapore’s place in the wider Malay world. This year’s Malay CultureFest and Budi Daya are excellent examples of this new approach. Both programmes highlight the diversity of the local Malay community as a microcosm of the people of the Nusantara, the Malay Archipelago. Budi Daya also brings together performances and artworks by artists from many different countries that have been reached by the influences of Malay culture: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. This is a good testament to the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding that we want to foster in the ASEAN community.

6. The shift to include more regional perspectives will bring even greater diversity and richness to the offerings here at the Malay Heritage Centre. The new approaches in curation and programming will also help boost the appeal of the Centre to the public. Many of the artwork and the performances you will see tonight are rooted in tradition, yet updated for a modern audience.

7. For example, we will soon be enjoying an Ulek Mayang dance performance. Ulek Mayang originated as a folk dance from ceremonial rituals in Terangganu, and has grown to be one of the most recognisable Malay tunes around, having been featured in the popular film Fenomena. I understand Fenomena will be screened right here on the Malay Heritage Centre lawn, as part of the festival. Another showcase that sounds rather exciting is a performance of Fusion Wayang Kulit, which I hear is inspired by Star Wars!

8. These are just some examples of contemporary art that the Centre will be showcasing alongside traditional and historical artefacts. So it’s quite a thought-provoking approach that the Centre has taken to this year’s festival and exhibition. It brings out very well how our heritage and traditions continue to evolve and continue to remain relevant in our present day.

Developing cultural districts

9. My hope is for the Centre to apply similarly bold and inventive approaches not only within the walls of Istana Kampong Glam, but also in the wider Kampong Glam precinct. Our Ministry has been working to develop busy cultural districts throughout Singapore. We have made good progress in the civic district, for example – the stretch along the banks of the Singapore River which cradles the Esplanade, the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall and a number of others, including the upcoming National Gallery Singapore. Just this afternoon, we talked about the Jubilee Walk which encompasses this particular area that will be unveiled next year when we celebrate our 50th anniversary of independence. There is also the Bras Basah Bugis precinct which includes the National Museum of Singapore and the Singapore Art Museum. These districts are full of exciting programmes that help build up artistic and cultural ecosystems. Similarly, in the Kampong Glam, I think there is a lot of potential to do more, not only in the compound of the Malay Heritage Centre, but in the broader precinct as well. I am sure all Singaporeans will want to see more of such places throughout Singapore.

10. So I am happy to note that the Centre has been actively engaging the community in the area. We will soon be enjoying a performance from Nadi Singapura, which is a percussion ensemble based at the Aliwal Arts Centre. I encourage the Centre to strengthen its community partnerships and keep coming up with new and fresh ideas. Together, let’s make Kampong Glam an even more vibrant and beloved historic district for everyone in Singapore.

11. Finally, let me thank once again the Malay Heritage Foundation and the National Heritage Board for your joint efforts in pulling together this year’s Malay CultureFest and special exhibition, Budi Daya. As we move toward Singapore’s 50th anniversary of independence next year, I hope we will have more platforms such as these prompt all of us to reflect and renew our commitment to our communities, our shared memories, and our home. I wish you a wonderful evening ahead. Terima kasih.