Promoting Malay culture through language

Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Senior Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs,

Mdm Zuraidah Abdullah, Chairperson, Malay Heritage Foundation,

Mr Ong Yew Huat, Chairman, National Heritage Board,

Distinguished guests,

Salam Sejahtera Tuan-Tuan Puan-Puan. A very good evening to one and all.

1. I'm very happy to be here to launch the Malay Heritage Centre's fifth special exhibition, Mereka Utusan, and the annual Malay CultureFest.

The role of Bahasa Melayu in Singapore and the region

2. Long before Malay became the national language of Singapore, it had been the lingua franca or common language of the region. In fact, as early as the 1500s, it was the language used by the people who inhabited Singapore and the surrounding islands of the Southeast Asian archipelago in the early days. This region, known collectively as the Nusantara, was unified by the common use of Malay as the language for social interactions, trade and commerce. Many traders and migrants who came to Singapore from other parts of the world – such as China, India and Europe – also picked up Malay for everyday and commercial use.

3. The Malay language is not only historically significant to Singapore and Southeast Asia, but continues to be of relevance today. For instance, the eventual acceptance of Rumi, the Romanised form of written Malay which we use today, helped the language reach out to a wider audience, including non-Malay speaking and non-Jawi writing communities. Even today, Singaporeans of different races use Malay in everyday speak, for example, “makan” and “boleh”!

Promoting Malay culture through language

4. Language plays a critical role in culture; it is the means through which the unique traits and essence of the culture is transmitted and communicated. It is therefore apt that the Malay Heritage Centre chose Bahasa – meaning Language - as its theme for this year. As one of NHB's heritage institutions, the Centre seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the Malay culture amongst Singaporeans. The Centre's special exhibition, Mereka Utusan: Imprinting Malay Modernity, does so by showing how language, and more specifically, the print media, has shaped ideas and discussions of Malay modernity and identity over four decades.

5. The exhibition traces this evolution alongside developments in technology and popular culture, as well as historical world events such as the Great Depression, World War II, and the rise of nationalism in the region. I had a quick tour of the exhibition earlier. Visitors will get to view rare cartoons and advertisements which reflect how the Malay community interpreted and responded to what was happening around the world from the 1920s to 60s.

6. The Centre's annual Malay CultureFest, which also launches today, will also present the various ways through which language may be creatively used and enjoyed, such as through songs, music, poetry, and dance. Language is a crucial platform for the transmission of heritage, culture and identity. And it is through continual use, promotion and appreciation that the rich Malay culture will be passed on to the next generation. Coincidentally, another Malay word “Sayang” has been chosen as the theme of the Singapore Writers' Festival which will take place from 4th to 13th November. It is another effort to promote the understanding of our Malay language and culture to Singaporeans and visitors from abroad.

Partnering the community

7. The Malay Heritage Centre's efforts to promote Malay culture are certainly encouraging. Since its re-opening in 2012, visitorship has grown from strength to strength, welcoming over one million visitors through its doors. In the past three years, it has organised special exhibitions focusing on the different communities, such as the Javanese and the Minangkabau. These exhibitions showcase the diversity within the ethnic Malay community, and how this has contributed to the richness of our heritage and culture. Such collaborations, coupled with outreach programmes, have brought the community closer and keep the gotong royong spirit alive.

8. I am glad to note that the interest and participation in cultural programmes cuts across age and ethnicity. At this year's Bulan Bahasa, our annual Malay Language Month, we have seen active participation from the newer groups, such as the Pertapis Youth Cultural Wing, and more established groups, such as the Silat Seni Gayong Singapura, the oldest silat association in Singapore. Non-Malays also participated in the programmes, with some serving as guides for the museum tours. I encourage our heritage institutions to do more of such inter-cultural engagement and collaboration so that we will collectively weave a culturally vibrant social fabric as part of our national identity.

9. Singaporeans who are interested to champion heritage can tap on the National Heritage Board's Heritage Grants scheme, which supports community groups in promoting and preserving heritage. Last year, the scheme supported an SG50 publication and exhibition by Yayasan MENDAKI that captures the contributions of our Malay pioneers in the past fifty years. And just last month, it supported a publication by Associate Professor Hussin Mutalib that documents the Singapore Malay-Muslim community from the 1800s to the present. These community-driven projects reflect a strong sense of ownership from the community; and interest in learning and championing their heritage and culture. I hope that more Singaporeans will be involved in such projects.

Conclusion

10. As I hear that there will be a face-off between two performing groups during the dondang sayang performance after this, I would like to join in the fun, and deliver serangkap pantun to start the ball rolling:
    
    Tingkap papan kayu bersegi;
    Sampan sakat di Pulau Angsa,
    Indah tampan kerana budi;
    Tinggi bangsa kerana Bahasa

11. Thank you very much.