Importance of community ownership towards our heritage

尊敬的新加坡道教协会会长
《新加坡玉皇宫》修缮委员会主席
李至旺道长

各位宗教领袖、乡团代表
各位嘉宾、女士、先生们

1. 大家早上好。非常高兴和非常荣幸能和大家聚在这里一起庆祝两件盛事。第一个盛事就是庆祝新加坡的国庆日。第二个盛事就是庆祝玉皇宫修缮圆滿重光揭匾的大好日子。
   

2. 六年前，新加坡道教协会接手修缮庆德楼。在承担这项重要的使命后，新加坡道教协会克服了种种挑战，今天终于完成使命举行修缮圆滿重光揭匾的庆典。
   

3. 有着180年历史的庆德楼自从新加坡道教协会接管后，便正式更名为《新加坡玉皇宫》。从今天起，《新加坡玉皇宫》也正式开放给公众人士参观。新加坡国人和旅客都可以参观和了解《新加坡玉皇宫》(原庆德楼)为何会被选为国家古迹的原因。
   

4. 《新加坡玉皇宫》今天正式开幕，是献给我国欢庆国庆50周年的珍贵礼物。在翻新之后，玉皇宫将成为我国另一所修复完善的文化古蹟。至于玉皇宫的建筑特色，结构和布局有何特别，待会儿大家便能够仔细的参观和浏览，从而得到更为深刻的印象。
   

5. 接下来，请容许我用英语继续发言。
   

6. It is really a privilege and honour for me to be here this morning to stand on this historical and significant site and to join all of you as we celebrate the completion of the restoration of Singapore 'Yu Huang Gong'. The opening ceremony today is momentous too, because it is held on the day where we also celebrate our national day. It is also an occasion where we celebrate our 50 years of nation building, our Golden Jubilee.
   

7. So, the history of this building has been part of the story of our nation-building. It was previously used by the Keng Teck Whay Association, a group formed in 1831 to build relationships of the people between Malacca and Singapore. So, for some 180 years, the members of the Keng Teck Whay Association carried out their activities through this Straits Chinese ancestral complex. The members of this Association comprised Hokkien Peranakans or the Straits Chinese and they were the bridge for communities and commerce between Malacca and Singapore. Indeed, this building played a very important bilateral relation building role in those days. This was also the ancestral prayer hall for members of the Keng Teck Whay Association then. Their traditional practices of worshipping five times a year to the Divinities and the 36 founding fathers of the Association are part of the traditions and the rituals that add to the richness of Singapore's intangible heritage.
   

8. In 2009, the building was gazetted as a National Monument by the National Heritage Board. And this will ensure that its stories and the physical building can continue to be appreciated and enjoyed by many more Singaporeans and visitors in years to come.
   

9. The Taoist Mission (Singapore) has played a key role too in preserving that heritage. Six years ago, the Taoist Mission took on the monumental task of restoring the Keng Teck Whay Building. Throughout the process, they faced challenges one after another, including financial limitations, expertise and all that. But they persisted and they are able to present today, this monument in its former glory.
   

10. Looking around us, we see the beautifully restored building today, including many sculptures and carving of dragons, fishes, and flowers on the roof-top. I am very happy to note that since January this year, the Singapore “Yu Huang Gong”, also known as the “Temple of the Heavenly Jade Emperor”, has opened its doors to the public.  Singaporeans and visitors can once again see the richness of Singapore's collective cultural and architectural heritage from the 19th century.  
    

11. The restoration effort also exemplifies the shared responsibility of community ownership towards our heritage. The Taoist Mission, together with restoration experts, donors and other supporters and contributors, took pains to ensure the works will revive the splendour of the building, and reflect our pioneers' strong sense of community.
    

12. It is with this same spirit of the community that I hope we can all be inspired by. Especially as we gather on this special day, our nation's 50th year of independence, to renew our commitment towards Singapore.
    

13. So, let us build on the rich cultural diversity we share, and make Singapore an even more harmonious Home for future generations to come.
    

14. On this note, let me wish all of you a very pleasant morning ahead and a very Happy National Day. Thank you.