VISITOR NUMBERS AT MALAY HERITAGE CENTRE

VISITOR NUMBERS AT MALAY HERITAGE CENTRE

17.

Ms Audrey Wong Wai Yen asked the Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (a) what are the visitor numbers to the Malay Heritage Centre for the past four years; (b) what can be done to increase its public visibility; and (c) whether an update on the progress of development of the Indian Heritage Centre can be provided.

RAdm [NS] Lui Tuck Yew: I would like to thank Ms Audrey Wong for her interest in our Community Heritage Institutions.

The Malay Heritage Centre received more than 418,000 visitors over the last four years. These visitors comprise Singaporeans and foreigners, including members of the Malay diaspora. It is especially encouraging that in FY 2009, the centre had more than 127,000 visitors, a 37% increase over the FY 2008 number. These figures indicate a strong and growing interest in Malay culture and heritage among Singaporeans and foreigners alike.

Since 2009, the National Heritage Board (NHB) has been tasked with operating the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) on behalf of its owners, the Malay Heritage Foundation (MHF). As the managing agent for the centre, NHB manages the centre's operations, and provides curatorial and programming direction.

NHB recently commissioned a museum design and planning consultancy study to explore ways through which to boost the centre's programmes, operations and profile. The study resulted in two key recommendations.

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The first calls for the MHC to better leverage its location in the bustling and vibrant Kampong Glam neighbourhood to reach out to and connect with the increasing numbers of young visitors and tourists who regularly visit the area. The second recommendation involves coming up with more engaging ways to celebrate and showcase all facets of Malay arts, culture and heritage to maximise the centre's appeal to local and international audiences.

In light of the study's findings, the MHC will undergo a major re-development to increase its accessibility and visitor appeal. The re-development will be carried out in consultation with the board members of the Malay Heritage Foundation as well as other leaders and representatives of the Malay community. The MHC will close in phases from November for the renovations and work is expected to be completed within one year.

Please allow me to briefly share with you some of the exciting plans in store. A new permanent display will highlight the cosmopolitan nature of the Singapore Malay community and emphasise the rich urban history of the Kampong Glam neighbourhood. A theatre will be built to provide performing space for artists and community groups. The centre's gardens will be re-designed to provide more space for outdoor programmes and facilitate interaction with the surrounding community. The Chairman of the Malay Heritage Foundation, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, will announce the full details of the development plan in July this year.

I am confident that these renovations will make the centre more relevant and attractive to visitors.

On the Indian Heritage Centre, plans for the construction of the centre are underway. The Indian Heritage Centre's Steering Committee, chaired by Senior Minister of State Dr Balaji Sadasivan, was formed in January 2009 to oversee the development of the centre. As in the case of the Malay Heritage Centre, NHB has been appointed to manage and provide programming and curatorial direction to the Indian Heritage Centre.

A site at Campbell Lane in the heart of Little India has been identified for the location of the centre. This is an ideal site, since the centre will function as a focal point for the showcasing of the rich history, traditions and culture of the Singapore Indian community.

The centre, when ready, will house exhibition and performance spaces as well as public areas for visitors and members of the community to interact and mingle in. An architecture competition will be called in October 2010 to select the design for the centre and construction is expected to commence in late 2011.

For its part, NHB has been developing content for the displays and permanent exhibition spaces. NHB has been meeting and interviewing Indian community leaders for their valuable memories and contributions. NHB has also been engaging a wide variety of Indian community organisations – including religious groups, cultural bodies and educational institutions – to ensure that a representative and diverse narrative of the Singapore Indian community will be presented to future visitors of the centre.

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