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.

Terms and Conditions

• Tickets are non-refundable. Should you need to transfer the ticket to another visitor, please write to us at founders_memorial@ipossible.com.sg at least 24 hours before the programme starts.

• While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information on this programme, Founders’ Memorial reserves the right to make modifications to programmes due to unforeseen circumstances. Please visit https://go.gov.sg/notmerespectators for the most updated information.

• By agreeing to join the programme, participants consent to sharing their information including phone number and email address with the organiser and partners for purposes relating to the event.

• Please note that there may be photography and/or video recording (audio and/or video) at the programme. By attending, you consent to your photograph and/or recording (video/audio) being used for future communications both online and offline by Founders’ Memorial and its partners for archival and related marketing and publicity purposes.
• For enquiries, please email us at founders_memorial@ipossible.com.sg.