Online resource in English and Malay for all to learn about prominent Malays who made a difference in the arts, community, business, Government, sports and more
Singapore, 11 Oct 2025 – In conjunction with SG60 and NLB's 30th anniversary, a new bilingual portal featuring Singapore’s prominent Malays, with authoritative accounts of their contributions and impact on the nation, went “live” today. Jointly developed by the National Library Board (NLB) and the Department of Malay Studies at the National University of Singapore (NUS), it was launched by Associate Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs at an event attended by over 200 guests, including partners and volunteers.
This online portal, in both Malay and English, chronicles the lives and times of over 100 prominent Malays who have shaped Singapore's history and heritage across six decades, spanning from Singapore's first President Yusof Ishak to football legend Fandi Ahmad, and cultural icons like Nona Asiah and Sarkasi Said. It helps visitors to discover more about their contributions to Singapore and learn more via links to other NLB resources.
Supported by key partners including the Malay Language Council and Berita Harian, prominent Malay figures are featured across ten categories: Arts, Community, Education, Politics, Religion, Sports, Legal, Healthcare, Government, Business. These entries feature images, audiovisual materials, and cross-references, enabling deeper discovery through NLB’s resources. As a collaborative, community-driven project, members of the public are invited to contribute to the Prominent Malays of Singapore portal too. Additional information or updates can be submitted via a feedback form for editorial review, after which it could be added to the portal.
The Prominent Malays of Singapore portal is a significant addition to NLB’s existing Malay resources and materials. It complements the Malay World Collection, a specially curated collection housed at Bedok Library, which features books in English, Chinese and Tamil on topics related to the Malay World including arts and culture, as well as literary works by Singapore Malay writers.
The Prominent Malays of Singapore portal also complements the Malay World Series, a series of talks held by NLB four times a year at the National Library Building and open to those who are interested in all things Malay. The Malay World Series has featured speakers such as singer-songwriter Art Fazil and media personality Rilla Melati, and the programme discusses a wide range of topics on Malay language, literature, arts, heritage, and history of the Nusantara (the Malay Archipelago) conducted in English.
As part of the launch, there will be a roving exhibition of the highlights of the portal at six selected libraries to bring these stories closer to Singaporeans. The roving exhibition will travel to these libraries over the next 18 months, from mid-October 2025 to March 2027, as follows:
NLB will continue to expand the Prominent Malays of Singapore portal after its initial launch, with plans to encompass broader aspects of Malay culture and heritage, including significant events, cultural milestones, and topics such as architecture, textiles, and cuisine.
NLB’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Cher Pong said: “At NLB, we are committed to preserving and sharing the rich stories that form the fabric of our nation’s history. The Prominent Malays of Singapore project is a tribute to the Malay community here in Singapore, past and present. This initiative is part of our efforts to share more Singapore Stories with everyone. By making these stories accessible to all, and by closely working with our partners, we hope to inspire future generations to appreciate and build upon our rich cultural heritage.”
Chairman of NLB’s Malay Advisory Panel, Dr Azhar Ibrahim said: “The future generation needs to be inspired by role models, community leaders, and national figures. These are very important facets for community building and nation building. The Prominent Malays of Singapore online directory serves as a vital resource for current and future generations to understand Singapore's Malay community and their contributions to the nation's development. In capturing 60 years of achievements across various fields—from arts and culture to business and public service—this publication preserves invaluable stories that might otherwise be lost to time. It ensures that the pioneering spirit and diverse contributions of the Malay community continue to inspire and inform future generations of Singaporeans.”
In line with NLB's LAB (Libraries and Archives Blueprint) Singapore Storyteller role, the Prominent Malays of Singapore portal gathers, preserves, and shares Singapore's rich historical narratives. This initiative follows NLB's broader multicultural documentation efforts, including the recent online Encyclopedia of Singapore Tamils, jointly published with the Centre for Singapore Tamil Culture and available in English and Tamil. Explore the Encyclopedia of Singapore Tamils here: http://go.gov.sg/nlb-est.
Discover the lives and legacies of Singapore's most influential Malay figures at the Prominent Malays of Singapore portal: https://go.gov.sg/nlb-Prominent Malays of Singapore portal
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About NLB
NLB nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through its network of 28 libraries, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore. NLB also forges strategic partnerships that encourage awareness, appreciation and greater discovery of Singapore’s history through its rich collections on Singapore and the region.
NLB achieves excellence through innovation, focusing on citizen engagement and co-creation, resource and digital innovation. This creates learning opportunities, greater access to library resources, services and archival collections, as well as a continual development of innovative library spaces. Established on 1 September 1995 as a statutory board, NLB is under the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).
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