It’s been 4 years since the Malay Heritage Centre closed for renovation works; come 25th April 2026, its doors will officially reopen with a 9-day-long celebration, titled Pesta Pecah Panggung: Transcending Boundaries, to mark the new chapter in its storied tale.
Here’s everything you need to know about the former palace-turned-heritage centre, dedicated to the Malay community’s history, culture, and contributions.
Image credit: Malay Heritage Centre
Look up the address of Malay Heritage Centre on Google Maps, and you get “85 Sultan Gate.” The aptly named road once cut across Pahang Street and went straight up to Beach Road, which was a coastal road in the past. Its endpoint was the palace, Istana Kampong Gelam, that was home to the Johore Sultanate in Singapore.
Take a look at the architecture, and you’ll find both traditional Malay and classical European elements. That’s because the building dates back to the 1890s, when Singapore was still a British colony. The former palace is painted in yellow, a colour representative of Malay royalty.
In fact, it was commissioned by Sultan Hussein Shah’s son and heir, Tengku Mohammed Ali, who was formally recognised by the British as the Sultan of Singapore in 1855.
The last time visitors saw the inside of the Malay Heritage Centre was back in October 2022, before it was shut for extensive refurbishments. Not only did this lengthy closure provide the opportunity for them to conduct restoration works on the historic building, but it also allowed them to upgrade the facilities on-site too.
These works included interior renovations, the addition of a multi-purpose room, and more accessible facilities such as ramps, easier walkways, and Braille signs. After the reopening, you’ll be able to access the centre via a second, more accessible entrance from Kandahar Street as well.
Besides structural upgrades, the contents of the Malay Heritage Centre have also seen updates – these include refreshed exhibitions and what’s said to be a “new narrative”.
The Malay/Muslim community has been a central part of Singapore’s story and identity; the Malay Heritage Centre pays tribute to their culture and preserves that heritage through a renewed narrative: Dari Rantau Ke Rumah, or From The Region To Home.
Rather than think of the community as a single entity, the refreshed exhibitions will showcase the rich diversity of the Malay world, with greater explorations of the sub-ethnic groups under the Malay diaspora, including the Javanese, Banjar, and Baweanese.
How did the Malay identity in present-day Singapore come to be? At the updated centre, you’ll get to trace how it has evolved through the generations, and the trans-geographical influences that have shaped the contemporary Singaporean Malay.
New to the galleries is a focus on how Malay women have contributed to the education, literature, and arts scenes.
One such example is a new artefact of a pilgrim pass which once belonged to Hajjah Maimunah Abdul Karina – if her name rings a bell, you’d be right to recall the famous nasi padang chain, which is in fact named after her.
More than that, she was Singapore’s first female haj broker, who helped to coordinate the annual Mecca haj for women, plus running a catering business for pilgrims.
Stock photo of a congkak board.
Image credit: @greenfactorykl
While the centre was undergoing its restoration, a sign dating back to 1897 was found at the building’s entrance – thanks to this sign, it was discovered that Istana Kampong Gelam was not, as previously thought, built in the 1840s.
When you visit the centre after its reopening, you’ll find this very sign, which reads “Crown Land Property Chapter – 382” on the ground floor.
Another artefact on display is a 2m-long congkak board that’s carved to resemble a mythical Kelantanese celestial bird.
Look forward to interactive exhibits that bring you down memory lane to the golden age of Malay pop culture, and outdoor galleries on the former palace’s lawn that cover the lore of this Istana’s history.
Tying the past to the present is the commissioning of artworks from local Malay artists, both emerging and established, that will grace the halls of the refreshed Malay Heritage Centre.
These include a wayang kulit installation by batik painter Tumadi Patri, and another work by NEO_ARTEFACTS that includes ceramic shards discovered during excavations at the site.
Image credit: Malay Heritage Centre
The 9-day-long festival that celebrates the Malay Heritage Centre’s reopening is one that’s set to reflect the diversity and creativity of Malay culture.
We hear there will be silat demonstrations, wayang kulit storytelling, batik workshops, and community programmes. It’ll kick off with a Pecah Panggung Parade on 25th April. Taking place from 4.45pm to 5.30pm, this moving festival will feature themed pushcarts and cultural performances, starting at Bussorah Street and ending at the front lawn of the centre.
Get the full line-up and sign up for your activities of choice at the Pesta Pecah Panggung website. P.S.: Some of the paid activities are covered by your SG Culture Pass.
Take this opportunity to find out more about the Malay community, who are such a fundamental part of Singapore’s history and culture, at the reopening of the Malay Heritage Centre.
Address: 85 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198501
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 6391 0450
For more content:
Cover image adapted from: Malay Heritage Centre
Let it rip.
A small reward for surviving the 9-to-6 grind.
Here are all the best things to do this weekend in Singapore.
Move over, traditional galleries.
There’s a range of packages to choose from, depending on your budget.
This is not your average post run.