Malay Heritage Centre

When discussion on the Malay Heritage Centre project was started, several locations were considered. Among them were Bukit Chandu in Pasir Panjang, and Geylang Serai.

The Malay Heritage Foundation finally proposed the Istana Kampong Gelam and its grounds, due to its historical richness as the original settlement for the Malay people in Singapore .

The Malays form the second largest ethnic community in Singapore , making up around 15% of the population. The Malay Heritage Centre plans to host a wide range of activities that offer visitors an insight into the Singapore Malays', culture, roots, lifestyle and traditional arts. It's location at the heart of historic Kampong Gelam conservation district gives visitors a total and unique experience of being in a Malay world.

Kampong Gelam was the area designated by Sir Stamford Raffles for all Malays and Muslim immigrants. Even though it was designated as a Malay area, Kampong Gelam flourished as a truly cosmopolitan settlement. Here, one could find Arab textile merchants, Minangkabau and Javanese food vendors, Chinese tombstone makers and steel toolsmen, Indian-Muslim publishers, etc.

Kampong Gelam was also the centre for the haj pilgrims. Thousands flocked to `Kampong Khaji' to attend classes and buy supplies for the long sea journey to Mecca . There were also pilgrims from around the region who came here to work to finance their trips and ended up as long-term residents of Kampong Gelam.

Today, Kampong Gelam is a conservation district, and home to some of the oldest and significant landmarks in Singapore 's history.

One of Singapore 's oldest mosque, Masjid Sultan (so-named because it was built for Sultan Hussein Shah) is located at Kampong Gelam and is today one of country's Preserved National Monument . One of Sultan Hussein's descendants, Tengku Alam is buried at a private grave inside the mosque.

Kampong Gelam is truly a unique heritage destination situated right at the heart of a bustling city district.

The Istana Kampong Gelam was completed 162 years ago by Sultan Ali, son of Sultan Hussein Shah. The building and the 23 hectares of land that was given by the British to Sultan Hussein and his descendants reverted to being crown property in 1897.

Typical of Palladian architecture that was very popular in the second half of the 19 th Century, the Istana Kampong Gelam is an elegant but understated structure, built of from bricks and materials imported from around the region.

Today, the Istana Kampong Gelam is home to the Malay Heritage Museum , with 9 galleries showcasing the roots, history and material culture of the Singapore Malays. Be enthralled by the seafaring might of the Bugis people; be enchanted by the regalia of Malay royalty and the golden years of the Malay entertainment industry. And see the achievements and works of our Malay artists who have earned international accolades.

The Gedung Kuning was built around 1860 and is believed to have been commissioned for Tengku Mahmoud, one of Sultan Hussein's grandsons. The yellow colour seems to support the claim of a connection between the building and the royal family.

In 1907, Gedung Kuning was sold to a wealthy Malay merchant, Haji Yusuf Hj Mohd Noor. Hj Yusuf was well-known as “Hj Yusuf Tali Pinggang”, having made his fortune from making the broad, green fabric belt worn by Muslims who have performed the haj.

Hj Yusuf turned Gedung Kuning into a beautiful home for his family, decorated with stained glass and wooden carvings inspired by his many travels abroad.

Today, the Gedung Kuning is operating as a fine-dining restaurant called Restoran Tepak Sireh.