Malay Heritage Centre
After 4 long years, the Malay Heritage Centre is finally reopening its doors and welcoming visitors on 25th April 2026. You can expect refreshed galleries housing more artefacts and newly commissioned artworks – perfect for stepping back in time and exploring the culture of the Malay community.
We went down for a visit before the centre officially reopens – here’s what you can look forward to:
What is new at the revamped Malay Heritage Centre?
The Malay Heritage Centre showcases the history, culture, and contributions of the Malay community in Singapore. Its permanent 6 galleries have undergone renovations and now include new artefacts and artworks that highlight centuries of trade and cultural exchange across the Malay Archipelago.
To mark the reopening of the centre, there’ll be a 9-day festival, Pesta Pecah Panggung — Transcending Boundaries, which revolves around the theme of Dari Rantau Ke Rumah (From the Region to Home). Featuring exhibitions, workshops, community programmes, and performances, the festival will explore Singapore’s Malay heritage and its connections in relation to the broader Malay world, touching on questions such as “What is heritage?” and “What does it mean to be a Singaporean Malay?” More on that below.
What to expect at the revamped Malay Heritage Centre?
Aside from the 6 refreshed and permanent galleries, the centre is also hosting a series of performances and workshops where you can make your own jong or graffiti your name in Jawi on a permanent exhibition in the centre.
6 permanent galleries
The 6 galleries revolve around different themes in Malay heritage, ranging from the fostering of relationships between different Malay ethnic groups to family dynamics within the Malay community. What they all have in common is the highlighted roles played by women in the community, shedding light on their contributions throughout centuries, be it in kinship or the arts and entertainment industry.
Most notable is Gallery 4, City of Dreams: Making A Mark, which focuses on the changing visibility and roles of Malay women in the 1950s and 1960s. The gallery features notable women, such as Saleha Mohd Shah, Siput Sarawak, and Normadiah, who have contributed to the rise and recognition of the modern Malay woman in film and media.
You’ll even get to see original costumes, like the red and black kebaya worn by K Fatimah in the film Ibu Mertuaku, as well as tapestry prints of magazine covers featuring the women.
We also tried our hand at an interactive sound installation, Sistem penyulitan masyarakat lusa (sipemalu) (encryption system for society of the future / the shy one) by Bani Haykal, where you key in a message or word using the piano keys to transmit unique sounds.
Commissioned artworks by local artists
NEO_ARTEFACTS by Fazleen Karlan, which investigates the intersection of art and archaeology, is drawn from her own experience as a post-excavation technician.
Something new to check out at the centre is the Corridors of Cultural Memories, which houses commissioned artworks by local Malay artists. Each piece is aimed at getting visitors to reflect on the question “What will we choose to inherit, and what will we evolve?” as part of the Dari Rantau Ke Rumah narrative.
Our New Home by Tumadi Patri, which tells the story of a storyteller who controls and narrates the performances of characters such as Semar, Petruk, and Garuda.
These pieces can be found all over the museum, even in the stairwells, so keep an eye out for hidden stories within the building.
There is also a graffiti feature by local artist Boon that’s still a work-in-progress. The wall depicts scenes from popular folktales such as Sang Nila Utama’s founding of Singapore, the tale of how Redhill got its name, and will also feature Malay ethnic groups such as the Orang Laut.
Interactive stations with fun activities
Another fun activity you wouldn’t want to miss is the Scripts of the Malay Archipelago station, where you’ll get to write your name in Jawi, Renjang, or Lontara. Simply type in your name, and you will be guided to write it out. At the end of it, the machine will print out your name in the selected script for you to keep.
Then there’s the Burung Petala Wati, where a carved wooden congkak set stands out on the 2nd floor due to its imposing size and design. Modelled after a mythical bird, this artefact is an example of how Malay artisans were influenced by Hindu-Buddhist and Muslim kingdoms from across the Siamese border.
Congkak, or mancala, is a game that requires 2 players to share a wooden board with 1 row of 7 holes along each side, with a bigger hole at both ends. The objective is to get as many “seeds” or stones as possible in the bigger hole. Try your hand at the game through the interactive screen adapted from the artefact itself.
9-day festival featuring community events
To celebrate the reopening, the Malay Heritage Centre will be hosting Pesta Pecah Panggung, a 9-day festival with a range of free and paid activities. Remember to purchase tickets to the workshops and performances beforehand.
Here are some highlights to check out:
Layar Tradisi: Build Your Own Mini Jong
Cik Fauzi assembling a miniature jong.
If you’re not familiar with what a jong is, the Layar Tradisi: Build Your Own Mini Jong workshop is all you need to dive into Singapore’s maritime heritage. The jong is a vessel that symbolises the seafaring skill, trading networks, and maritime strength that connected the Malay world to regional ports.
Guided by Cik Fauzi, a traditional jong craftsman, you will get to create your own miniature jong, test its floating ability, and then paint and sail it in the centre’s pool. The activity is suitable for children aged 5 and above.
Date: 3rd May 2026
Time: 10.30am-12.30pm
Venue: Gelam Room, Malay Heritage Centre
Price: $50 per parent-child pair (SG Culture Pass eligible)
Aksara Bebas: Exploring Jawi through Calligraffiti
Have you ever wondered how your name is spelt in Jawi? The Aksara Bebas: Exploring Jawi through Calligraffiti is your answer. Guided by graffiti artist Boon, you will get to write your name in Jawi script and add on modern, graffiti-inspired techniques. At the end of the session, you will then spray paint your design onto a permanent feature wall as part of the Malay Heritage Centre’s exhibition.
Date: 1st May 2026
Time: 3pm-4.30pm
Venue: Gelam Room, Malay Heritage Centre
Price: $25 per pax (SG Culture Pass eligible)
Wajah & Bayang: Nusantara Arts Showcase
Catch the Wajah & Bayang: Nusantara Arts Showcase, where performers will utilise traditional puppets and masks to bring the story to life. You’ll get to see performing groups from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and enjoy music, theatre, and dance spanning the Nusantara region.
We caught a snippet of Universitas Negeri Malang’s performance, which features the Sabrang mask dance, a cultural heritage dance in Malang. The dance depicts soldiers preparing for the battlefield, showcasing the brave, aggressive, and mighty ranks of Sabrang soldiers.
Date: 25th April 2026
Time: 12.30pm-1.45pm, 8pm-9.15pm (75 minutes with no intermission)
Venue: Auditorium, Malay Heritage Centre
Price: $30 per pax for adults, $24 per pax for Senior/Student/Child (SG Culture Pass eligible)
Event language: English, Malay
Pecah Panggung Parade
The Pecah Panggung Parade celebrates the diverse Malay communities integral to the shaping of the Kampong Gelam precinct.
Featuring themed pushcarts with contributions from different sub-ethnic communities such as the Orang Laut alongside cultural performances, the parade celebrates heritage and community spirit. Vendors prominent in the Kampung Gelam precinct have also been invited to participate in the parade, highlighting the different contributors to the Malay heritage and traditions.
Date: 25th April 2026
Time: 4.45pm-5.30pm
Venue: Bussorah Street
Admission: Free
Is entry to the Malay Heritage Centre free?
Entry to the galleries is currently free for all visitors, including tourists, from 25th April to 28th June 2026. Afterwards, Singaporeans and Permanent Residents can still enjoy free admission to the galleries, while tourists will have to get a ticket for $10.
How to get to the Malay Heritage Centre?
The Malay Heritage Centre is just a 10-minute walk from Bugis MRT Station. For those who prefer taking the bus, buses 7, 32, 51, 61, 63, 80, 145, 175, and 197 ply the Bef Sultan Mque bus stop, which is just a 3-minute walk from the centre.
Visit the revamped Malay Heritage Centre to learn more about the culture
With its exciting lineup of activities and performances, the Malay Heritage Centre’s opening is one to keep an eye out for. Their refreshed galleries and exhibitions also offer a deeper look into the Malay heritage and culture in Singapore. So if you’re looking for something new to do or simply want to learn more about Singapore’s own history, a trip down to the Malay Heritage Centre might be next on your list.
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Photography by Chandelle Cheong.