Items, donated or lent, include two medallions of the late Yusof Ishak
By Tay Suan Chiang, The Straits Times, 8 May 2012
WHEN Mr Yusof Ishak was appointed Yang Dipertuan Negara, or head of state, of Singapore in 1959, he received two medallions - one each from the Sultan of Brunei and Malaysia's king.
These medallions will be among 150 artefacts on display at the revamped Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) when it reopens in September.
The items, donated or on loan from more than 20 individuals and corporations, will be showcased in its permanent galleries.
The $3 million spruce-up of the seven-year-old MHC will allow it to focus on the rich history of its Kampong Glam location. Previously, the museum looked at the Malay community as a whole.
Mr Yusof's wife Nor Aisha Md Salim is lending the two medallions. Mr Yusof, who died in 1970, was Singapore's first president, from 1965 to 1970.
Another person helping out is Mr Khir Johari, a collector and an independent researcher on the history and culture of the Malay world. He was born in Kampong Glam and grew up in the area.
He is lending a copper oven and brass tray, both believed to be more than 100 years old. He got hold of the oven through a friend while the tray belonged to his grandmother.
Mr Yusof's wife Nor Aisha Md Salim is lending the two medallions. Mr Yusof, who died in 1970, was Singapore's first president, from 1965 to 1970.
Another person helping out is Mr Khir Johari, a collector and an independent researcher on the history and culture of the Malay world. He was born in Kampong Glam and grew up in the area.
He is lending a copper oven and brass tray, both believed to be more than 100 years old. He got hold of the oven through a friend while the tray belonged to his grandmother.
Other items that he is lending include a hatbox made of tin and five hats that belonged to his great-grandfather Haji Yusof Haji Mohammed Noor, a well- known haj belt maker.
'I have been collecting these items, and at some point, I want to share them and let others enjoy these items too,' he said. 'If these items can help the museum tell a better story of Kampong Glam, then why not display them?'
Another rare item is a Jawi typewriter that is believed to be from the 1960s, and donated by Pustaka Nasional. The printer and publishing firm was previously located in Kampong Glam.
Ms Nur-El-Hudaa Jaffar, a publishing executive with Pustaka, said the typewriter is a link to the printing and publishing industry of the 19th and 20th centuries when Kampong Glam was a hub for this trade.
The National Heritage Board (NHB), which manages the MHC, tapped the community for artefact donations and loans.
Said Mr Alvin Tan, director of industry development at the NHB: 'We want to increase community engagement and ownership.'
Ms Norsaleen Salleh, acting general manager of the MHC, said: 'We are heartened to see members of the community coming forward to contribute these meaningful artefacts, some of which have come full circle to present a more cohesive story of Kampong Glam and its rich historical significance.'
Apart from the artefacts, the museum will also have two temporary exhibition spaces featuring travelling exhibits as well as works by emerging artists.
The MHC is housed in a 169-year-old building, Istana Kampong Glam, which was the seat of Singapore's Malay royalty in the 19th century.
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