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Making Multicultural Singapore – Panel Discussion
Making Multicultural Singapore – Panel Discussion
Synopsis of Panel
Multiculturalism is foundational to Singapore’s existence as an independent and sovereign nation-state. How did this come to be, and what relevance does this have to issues we face in contemporary society today? Join us for this panel as we explore the experience of Singapore’s founding leaders in navigating diversity and inclusion, and the reflections today’s youth may have on what multiculturalism means to them in Singapore today.
About the Keynote Speaker
Irene Ng
Irene Ng is the authorised biographer of S. Rajaratnam. She wrote his two-part biography The Singapore Lion and The Lion’s Roar. Armed with a deep understanding of Singapore’s history and its founding leaders, she is a sought-after speaker and commentator on leadership, multiculturalism and nationalism. She was formerly a journalist and a Member of Parliament. She is now a full-time writer.
About the Moderator
Sarina Anwar
Sarina Anwar is Assistant Curator at the Founders’ Memorial. She was formerly History teacher, and still enjoys teaching--just in different ways.
About the Panellists
Sharifah Afra Alatas
Sharifah Afra Alatas is Senior Research Officer at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, where she does research on socioreligious and sociopolitical issues among Muslim societies in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Malaysia. Beyond her day job, she conducts sharing sessions about Arab heritage in Singapore.
Jegateesh Gynasigamani
Jegateesh Gynasigamani is Assistant Curator at the Indian Heritage Centre. His research interests lie in the South Asian diaspora of maritime Southeast Asia, focusing on how identities are formed and expressed through material culture, heritage, and sociocultural practices.
Nabillah Jalal
Nabillah Jalal is a pianist who produces and performs contemporary music that speaks to her Malay Singaporean identity. A graduate of the Royal College of Music, London, she runs NJ Studio, a boutique piano school. She also co-founded ArtSee, a volunteer-run project that provides free contemporary music education to at-risk youth.
Yeo Tze Yang
Yeo Tze Yang is a self-taught artist whose practice explores themes of everyday life in Singapore and Southeast Asia. He is keen on exploring placemaking in his body of works as an extension of his anthropological training as a graduate of the Southeast Asian Studies programme at the National University of Singapore.
Date & Time:
Sun, 23 Nov 2025, 4:30pm
Venue: The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium, Level B1, City Hall Wing, National Gallery Singapore
About Founders’ Memorial
The Founders’ Memorial honours independent Singapore’s founding values and nation-building journey. Opening at Bay East Garden in end 2028 as an integrated garden and gallery experience, it presents the story of how our founding leaders and generation built independent Singapore, establishing it on values and ideals such as multiculturalism, openness and integrity. The Memorial aims to spur Singaporeans to reflect on our founding values and draw inspiration for Singapore’s future.
About Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore
Step into 1950s–1970s Singapore, when multiculturalism was thought about, talked about, and consciously forged through policies, ground-up efforts and the daily choices of ordinary citizens. Move through the tensions between ideals and realities, then find your place on the stage of multicultural Singapore — still in the making today.
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