NUS Malay Studies

05/10/2026

Revisit the beginnings of the Syed Hussein Alatas Memorial Lecture Series with this recording from its inaugural lecture in 2018. Established by the NUS Department of Malay Studies in honour of its founding Head, the late Professor Syed Hussein Alatas, the series brings together distinguished scholars and thought leaders to engage with critical issues facing the Malay world and wider Southeast Asian society.

The tradition continues on Saturday, 10 October 2026, with the 7th Syed Hussein Alatas Memorial Lecture, featuring Professor Edmund Terence Gomez on “Organized Corruption, State-Business Relations and the Political Economy of Development”, from 2.00pm to 4.30pm at The Pod, National Library Building, Singapore.

7th Syed Hussein Memorial Lecture Organised Corruption, State Bus...

28/09/2026

🗣️ Tak perlu tunggu bahasa kita sempurna untuk mula menggunakannya.

In a recent Berita Harian feature, our Senior Lecturer Dr Azhar Ibrahim Alwee shares why creating a supportive environment matters in encouraging young people to speak Malay even when they may not feel completely confident in the language.

Drawing from his own experience with students, Dr Azhar highlights how confidence and proficiency can grow when learners are given the space, time and encouragement to use the language. He also invites us to think of Malay as more than a means of communication: it is a form of cultural capital, opening doors to knowledge, literature and communities across the region.

💬 His message: use the language, make mistakes, learn and keep it alive.

👉 Read the full feature in Berita Harian Singapura
“Galak guna bahasa Melayu walau belum sempurna”

https://www.beritaharian.sg/singapura/galak-guna-bahasa-melayu-walau-belum-sempurna

Justeru, usaha memastikan bahasa Melayu terus digunakan tidak boleh diserahkan kepada sekolah atau usaha seperti Bulan Bahasa semata-mata.

15/09/2026

Batik Day meets Welcome Tea!

What a wonderful gathering we had on 9 September 2026! Our community came together in vibrant batik attire to celebrate culture while welcoming new faces into our MS family.

A big thank you to our faculty members for their continued support and guidance, our student majors for showing up in full spirit, our student society for helping bring this event to life, and to all the students from our mentorship programme for joining us in this heartwarming celebration!

It was a beautiful blend of tradition, connection, and community, proof that great things happen when we come together. Here's to more moments of learning, mentorship, and togetherness ahead! 🌸

27/08/2026

The Malay Studies Department, NUS, is pleased to invite you to the 7th Syed Hussein Alatas Memorial Lecture.

The lecture titled “Organized Corruption, State-Business Relations and the Political Economy of Development” will be delivered by Professor Edmund Terence Gomez.

Date: Saturday, 10 October 2026
Time: 2pm - 4.30pm
Venue: The Pod, National Library Building
100 Victoria Street, S188064.

Please refer to the attached poster for further details.
To RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/7thSyedHusseinAlatas

10/07/2026

Ever wondered where your family story really begins? 👀🌏

Turns out, tracing your roots can reveal much more than names on a family tree, it can uncover the different cultures, journeys and lived experiences that shape who we are today.

Dr Suriani Suratman recently presented a talk at Hari Pencarian Keturunan Melayu (MAS) on “Uncovering Cultural Heterogeneity of Orang Melayu in Singapore”, sharing how family histories reveal the rich and diverse roots of Singapore’s Malay community across the Nusantara.

Because identity is rarely just one story. Sometimes, you have to look back to understand where you are now. ✨

Curious about the stories behind our roots? Read more in Berita Harian 👇

Rakyat Singapura semakin minat menelusuri asal usul keluarga mereka, mendedahkan kepelbagaian akar keturunan Melayu merentasi Nusantara.

28/05/2026

What do korban, hijrah and the building of a civilisation have in common?

In his latest commentary for BERITA Mediacorp, our faculty member Dr Azhar Ibrahim takes us beyond the familiar meanings of Hari Raya Korban and Hajj, exploring how sacrifice, migration, knowledge and collective effort have shaped civilisations, including across Southeast Asia.

A thoughtful read on how ideas of humanity, solidarity and building a better society connect the past with questions that still matter today. 🌏✨

🔗 Read “ALAM MELAYU: Hari Raya Korban, Hijrah dan Membangun Peradaban” on BERITA Mediacorp.

Membangunkan peradaban memerlukan usaha kolektif untuk mencermati, menggilap dan mengungguli setiap kepandaian, ketukangan dan kegigihan manusia.

11/04/2026

From thread to masterpiece 🧵 Songket Day was a celebration of culture, craft, and community. Thanks to our NUS Malay Studies Society and the incredible Mr. Afi Hanafi, participants stepped into the world of traditional songket, learning not just the technique, but the stories and significance woven into every pattern. This is how we keep traditions alive and thriving. ✨ Special thanks to Nadi Kampus BERITAmediacorp for sharing our story!

10/04/2026

Threads, traditions, and community, that's Songket Day. 🌟 A huge thanks to our NUS Malay Studies Society for bringing Mr. Afi Hanafi's expertise to life through this unforgettable hands-on experience. From understanding the cultural significance of songket to actually engaging with the craft, participants witnessed how this living tradition continues to thrive in the Malay World. This is cultural celebration done right. 🧵✨

07/04/2026

24/03/2026

We’re proud to share that our former MA in Malay Studies student, Mr Muhammad Ilyia Bin Kamsani, is a recipient of NHB’s inaugural Outstanding Youth in ICH Award 👏

Recognised for his contributions to Dikir Barat and Malay poetic forms, Ilyia continues to show how tradition can stay alive, relevant, and inspiring. His dedication to preserving and evolving our cultural heritage truly sets him apart.

Big congratulations, Ilyia, your journey is one to watch, and an inspiration to many 🇸🇬✨

Mr Muhammad Ilya Bin Kamsani for Dikir Barat and Malay Poetic Form