Malay Heritage Centre
Malay Heritage Centre
4
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Officially re-opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in September 2012, the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) showcases the history, culture and contributions of the Malay community within the context of Singapore's history and multi-cultural society. MHC's permanent galleries focus on the history of Kampong Gelam and showcase an interesting collecting of artefacts from the National Collection and the Malay community. Through its exhibitions and programmes, the centre aspires to be a vibrant destination of historical and cultural significance for both Singaporeans and international visitors. MHC is under the management of the National Heritage Board in partnership with The Malay Heritage Foundation.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
171 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
68
Average
49
Poor
2
Terrible
4
KGB777
Singapore, Singapore41,257 contributions
Mar 2020
We came back here for another visit in late March, before everything closed down for the lockdown period. Entrance for PRs and citizens is free, so it's a good option for keeping the kids entertained. A few interesting exhibits inside and a good overview of local history of the Malay community.
Written June 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrsSiew
Singapore, Singapore522 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
Interesting and educational place to spend with family, understanding the historical facts and cultural background. Our family, 2A, 2C, age 13 & 7 thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We also learnt more about Gems and other precious stones and especially the 77 Carats diamond! There is also has an interesting plot of small land with various plants and trees within the Malay Heritage Center.
Also we found out that my husband lived in the same road as Mr Omar Ahmad! It was during the mid 60s to early 80s when he was living with his grandparents!! What a nice finding! I am quite sure his late grandparents might even know Mr Omar Ahmad!
Highly recommended to family outings.
Also we found out that my husband lived in the same road as Mr Omar Ahmad! It was during the mid 60s to early 80s when he was living with his grandparents!! What a nice finding! I am quite sure his late grandparents might even know Mr Omar Ahmad!
Highly recommended to family outings.
Written December 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
resewa
Sydney, Australia24 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
This is housed in the Istana, the old Sultan's Palace. You can do a free guided tour, which I highly recommend. Our guide, Tang Siew ? (sorry, I have forgotten her other name) was excellent. She is also a volunteer guide at the Peranakan Museum. The staff are really welcoming, the cost is very reasonable. $S4 for adults and they honour overseas Seniors Cards ($2 entry for seniors). It really gives a good background understanding of Singapore, not just the last 50 years but about the power struggles with the British and Dutch, the Bugis people, the role of the Sultan, the Singapore movie industry, the Peranakans etc. Check out times, special exhibits etc. We had a lovely morning there.
Written February 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don
Jakarta, Indonesia331 contributions
Dec 2019
Clean and organise very well, its explain all about Malay history in Singapore and how they becoming one of important culture of Singapore..
Written December 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abencheikh65
Angers, France162 contributions
Aug 2019
Very peaceful centre where you wonder bare foot and review past of Singapore . Take a moment to listen to all the explanations and view the short movies ...
Written August 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol W
Mornington, Victoria, Australia294 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
I found thus very informative and didn’t realize that the Malays were the first group to occupy Singapore. Very interesting history and lived the sultans house and garden area.
Written July 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dheer Sanghi
7 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
The Malay Heritage Center was built to display and illustrate the complex and multi-layered history of the ethnic group known as Malays in Singapore. Built in an Istana (palace) that was once the royal abode of the last Sultan of Singapore, the Malay Heritage Center is in the middle of Kampong Gelam, the cultural area of Singapore. There are 6 small galleries, forming the permanent exhibition about the life and culture of the Malays, and a special exhibition called “Pilgrims' Stories from the Malay World to Makkah”.
The permanent exhibition starts with the spice trade routes around the Malay archipelago, and Singapore’s strategic position as a port. As such, it was a magnet for Malay cultural activities. This museum showcases Malay identity, defined by clothing, language, communication, arts, and music. It tells us about craftsmanship, schooling, trading and community pioneers, most notably the first President of Singapore. All this clearly explains the story of this important people. Today, Malays of Singapore are not only considered those that come from Malaysia, but also anyone in the 25,000 islands in the Malay Archipelago, as well as any other Muslims, from India or Egypt.
The special exhibition talks about how Singapore became the centre for Haj departures for Muslims from the mid 1900s. Many pilgrims worked in Singapore to earn money for their passage although some never travelled to Mecca and settled down in Singapore. All this and more led to Singapore becoming the hub that it is today.
In conclusion, the MHC is an important heritage institution that provides wonderful cultural exposure and learning opportunities in a lovely ambiance. In the evenings, the place comes alive with dancing, rehearsals, or simply relaxation in the cool of Singapore’s tropical nights. It is also just a stone's throw from great coffee shops and restaurants and quirky stores in Kampong Glam, so it makes for a perfect tour!
Some interesting quotes by the FOM tour guide:
“Malay history is Singapore History.”
“The Malays in Singapore are such a diverse ethnic group due to the proximity between islands in the Malay Archipelago, and Islam, the religion that binds them.”
The permanent exhibition starts with the spice trade routes around the Malay archipelago, and Singapore’s strategic position as a port. As such, it was a magnet for Malay cultural activities. This museum showcases Malay identity, defined by clothing, language, communication, arts, and music. It tells us about craftsmanship, schooling, trading and community pioneers, most notably the first President of Singapore. All this clearly explains the story of this important people. Today, Malays of Singapore are not only considered those that come from Malaysia, but also anyone in the 25,000 islands in the Malay Archipelago, as well as any other Muslims, from India or Egypt.
The special exhibition talks about how Singapore became the centre for Haj departures for Muslims from the mid 1900s. Many pilgrims worked in Singapore to earn money for their passage although some never travelled to Mecca and settled down in Singapore. All this and more led to Singapore becoming the hub that it is today.
In conclusion, the MHC is an important heritage institution that provides wonderful cultural exposure and learning opportunities in a lovely ambiance. In the evenings, the place comes alive with dancing, rehearsals, or simply relaxation in the cool of Singapore’s tropical nights. It is also just a stone's throw from great coffee shops and restaurants and quirky stores in Kampong Glam, so it makes for a perfect tour!
Some interesting quotes by the FOM tour guide:
“Malay history is Singapore History.”
“The Malays in Singapore are such a diverse ethnic group due to the proximity between islands in the Malay Archipelago, and Islam, the religion that binds them.”
Written April 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dingo_6152
Fremantle, Australia3,380 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
Located in Kampong Glam District, the nearest MRT is the Bugis station, head down North Bridge Road and its just past the Masjid Sultan (Sultans Mosque). It’s open Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00am and 6:00pm (closed Monday). The centre comprises of several buildings set in a well landscaped/lawned garden. The main two-storey building was once the local Sultan's Palace (Istana Kampong Gelam). Visitors need to purchase a ticket at the visitors centre/shop (Kandahar Street side) $6 for foreigners but free for locals. The museum contains a permanent collection detailing the Malay heritage of the area. In comparison with the Indian Heritage Centre or the Chinatown Heritage Centre it is a little sparse (the poor cousin) however it does give a fairly comprehensive coverage of Malay history. At the rear of the main building are two galleries which house temporary collections. When I visited the exhibition related to the Singapore Bugis community, which I found more interesting than the main collection.
It is a more tranquil space if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Arab Street area. Worth visiting if you want to understand the history of the Malay Community on Singapore’s history.
It is a more tranquil space if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Arab Street area. Worth visiting if you want to understand the history of the Malay Community on Singapore’s history.
Written April 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CraigM88
London, UK154 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
I went here with two Malay Singaporeans, who also learned a lot about their cultural heritage! The museum is free for Singaporeans and residents, but $8 for tourists. It’s well worth it. If you ask at the desk where you pay if there is a guide free, they will assign someone to you to walk you through the museum, which I would highly recommend. It doesn’t cost anything extra. Our guide was amazing and incredibly knowledgeable on all things Malay and also had an impressive knowledge of Singapore. I don’t understand why this museum isn’t more highly rated in Singapore, truth be told. That said, it works in your favour if you go yourself, as it’s quieter and you’ll probably get your own guide!
Go and see it!
Go and see it!
Written February 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MundoSimpatico
Switzerland70 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
Contrary to what other reviewers mentioned, I find the Malay Heritage Centre is very well worth a visit. I went with a friend and we participated in the guided tour (which started late, reason for 4 instead of 5 stars).
The building is nice and the exhibition very well done. Not too big, but gives a good insight. Would recommend to go with the guided tour (if possible, time-wise). Our guide knew a lot and she made it helped me to connect some dots and white spots on my mental map. Well done! Also the exhibits are nicely presented. Recommend a visit.
The building is nice and the exhibition very well done. Not too big, but gives a good insight. Would recommend to go with the guided tour (if possible, time-wise). Our guide knew a lot and she made it helped me to connect some dots and white spots on my mental map. Well done! Also the exhibits are nicely presented. Recommend a visit.
Written November 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rhgoldhill
Bukit Tinggi, Malaysia
We are a Childcare Centre. Would like our young preschoolers (50 Students) to understand the culture of the Malays in a simplified manner.
Written August 27, 2018
Hello in 2006 I visited a small museum in Bukit batok where I watched a short film on the fall of Singapore and learnt how bravely the Malay soldiers fought against the Japanese. Do you still show this film in the Malay Heritage centre
Written July 30, 2022
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