Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Chairman of the Malay Heritage Foundation,
Board of Directors of the Malay Heritage Foundation,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening.

It is my pleasure to join you this evening to celebrate the third anniversary of the Malay Heritage Centre. The Malay Heritage Centre symbolises the importance of promoting each ethnic community’s cultural diversity in our multi-cultural society.

2 Singapore’s cultural development has grown in breadth and depth over the last decade. But, more work still needs to be done to transform Singapore into a culturally rich city. Some of the government’s strategies as outlined under the Renaissance City Plan 3 are to grow the arts and culture ecosystem through enabling the private and people sectors to play a stronger role, and promoting deeper community engagement in culture. The Malay Heritage Centre is an important player in this phase of our development .

 3 I am pleased to note that the Malay Heritage Centre has made good progress for the past three years. The Centre is working hard to establish linkages with regional cultural partners, paving the way for collaborations and avenues to promote exchange of talent, as well as provide a platform for our local groups. The shared heritage, common cultural roots and ties with countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East gives it an edge and can be leveraged to showcase the rich Malay culture, arts and heritage beyond our shores.

4 The Malay Heritage Centre has also organised many cultural programmes, performances, exhibitions and workshops to showcase the best of Malay culture and heritage with a multitude of partners. The inaugural Malay Arts Festival in 2007, the Rangsang Rias Pusaka Bangsa V and Ramadhan Shines are examples of such efforts.

5 The Government is committed to supporting the various ethnic communities’ efforts to preserve their cultures and history, which form an inextricable part of Singapore’s journey. Our efforts alone are insufficient to ensure the sustainability and viability of these heritage centres. The support and contributions from the people and private sectors are of paramount importance to ensure the Centre’s long-term success. We look forward to your continued support and hope more supporters will come forth to help us in the efforts of preserving the Malay culture and heritage.

6 Once again, let me congratulate the Malay Heritage Centre on its third anniversary and Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Chairman of the Malay Heritage Foundation, and the Foundation’s Board of Directors for having done a good job. I would also like to thank all the volunteers and supporters who have tirelessly supported the centre since its inception. I wish the Malay Heritage Centre many more good years as it aspires to becoming a cultural anchor point for Malay culture in Singapore and in the region.

7 I will now deliver a summarised version of my speech in Malay.

UCAPAN LAKSAMANA PERTAMA (KERAHAN) LUI TUCK YEW, MENTERI NEGARA KANAN BAGI PENDIDIKAN DAN PENERANGAN, PERHUBUNGAN DAN KESENIAN, DI MAJLIS ULANG TAHUN KETIGA TAMAN WARISAN MELAYU, PADA 8 JUN 2008 (AHAD), JAM 5 PETANG, DI TAMAN WARISAN MELAYU

Encik Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Pengerusi Yayasan Warisan Melayu,
Anggota-anggota Lembaga Pengarah Taman Warisan Melayu,
Tuan-tuan dan puan-puan,
Selamat petang.

Saya berasa gembira kerana dapat menyertai anda pada malam ini bagi menyambut ulang tahun ketiga Taman Warisan Melayu. Taman Warisan Melayu melambangkan pentingnya untuk menggalakkan keragaman budaya setiap kaum dalam masyarakat kita yang berbilang budaya.

2 Saya berbesar hati kerana Taman Warisan Melayu telah mencapai kemajuan yang baik sepanjang tiga tahun yang lalu. Taman Warisan bekerja keras untuk menjalin ikatan dengan rakan-rakan budaya di rantau ini, yang telah membuka jalan kepada kerjasama dan lowongan untuk menggalakkan pertukaran bakat, serta menyediakan platform untuk kumpulan-kumpulan tempatan kita. Warisan yang dikongsi bersama, akar budaya yang sama dan hubungan dengan negeri-negeri di Asia Tenggara dan Timur Tengah telah memberikan Taman Warisan satu kelebihan yang dapat dimanfaatkan untuk mempamerkan kekayaan budaya, seni dan warisan bangsa Melayu yang melepasi sempadan negara kita.

3 Taman Warisan Melayu juga telah menganjurkan banyak program, persembahan, pameran dan bengkel budaya untuk mempamerkan ciri terbaik kebudayaan dan warisan Melayu dengan ramai rakan kongsi. Pesta Seni Melayu yang julung-julung dianjurkan pada 2007, Rangsang Rias Pusaka Bangsa V dan Sinar Ramadhan, adalah contoh usaha tersebut.

4 Sekali lagi, saya mengucapkan tahniah kepada Taman Warisan Melayu sempena ulang tahunnya yang ketiga dan kepada Encik Zainul Abidin Rasheed sebagai Pengerusi Yayasan Warisan Melayu, dan anggota-anggota Lembaga Pengarah Taman Warisan Melayu kerana telah menjalankan tugas yang baik. Saya juga ingin mengucap terima kasih kepada semua sukarelawan dan penyokong yang telah memberi sokongan mereka tanpa mengenal penat kepada Taman Warisan Melayu sejak ia ditubuhkan. Saya ucapkan selamat maju jaya kepada Taman Warisan Melayu di tahun-tahun akan datang dalam aspirasinya menjadi sebuah pusat budaya Melayu di Singapura dan rantau ini.