Istana Kampong Gelam, a former royal residence which serves as a reminder of the Republic’s historic links to the Malay world, will be gazetted as a national monument on Aug 6.
This will make it the 70th site to be gazetted by the National Heritage Board.
Gazetting the Istana Kampong Gelam — which houses the Malay Heritage Centre today — just before Singapore’s 50th birthday is a “firm recognition of the Malay community’s continued contribution to the diverse and vibrant social tapestry of Singapore”, said Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, at the annual Hari Raya gathering he hosted today (July 31).
Dr Yaacob, who is Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, also announced that the Al-Istighfar Mosque in Pasir Ris will be upgraded. Upgrading works will be done in two phases, starting with the construction of a temporary prayer facility next to the mosque in the first half of next year. This will be followed by plans to build an extension to the existing mosque to cater for a permanent increase in prayer spaces.
Separately, Madam Zuraidah Abdullah, chairman of the Malay Heritage Foundation’s board of directors, said: “Gazetting Istana Kampong Gelam as a national monument also recognises the integral role that our Malay communities and culture have played in shaping Singapore’s history and development as a progressive and prosperous nation.”
Source: www.todayonline.com
