Singapore, 28 May 1999 – The Government has been encouraging the various communities in Singapore to establish their own heritage centres and build upon their culture, history, traditions and values. The Minister for Information and the Arts, BG (NS) George Yeo recently announced in Parliament that a Foundation would be established to implement the Malay Heritage Centre project. The following persons have been appointed by the Minister on the Board of Directors of the Malay Heritage Foundation, which will be incorporated soon:

1. Mr Ridzwan bin Haji Dzafir

Consultant, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2. Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed

Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MP for Cheng San GRC

3. Mr Hj Maarof Salleh

President, MUIS

4. Mr Sumardi Ali

CEO, Yayasan MENDAKI

5. Mr Darke Mohd Sani

Director, Association of Muslim Professionals

6. Assoc Prof Shaharuddin bin Maaruf

Head, Malay Studies Department

National University of Singapore

7. Dr Sharon Siddique

Vice-President, Singapore Heritage Society

8. Mr Lim Siam Kim

CEO, National Heritage Board

9. Mr Guntor Sadali

Editor, Berita Harian

10. Mr Muhammad Ariff Ahmad

Writer on Malay culture and traditions

11. Mr Chia Boon Pin

General Manager and Director of Corporate Affairs

Far East Organisation

The Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Members of the Board are appointed in their personal capacities. In developing the Malay Heritage Centre, the Foundation will play a major role in exploring and presenting the history and culture of the Malay community in Singapore and its links with other parts of the world. The Malay Heritage Centre will be an important cultural anchorpoint for all Singaporeans.

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