Pentas Foundation Ltd

27/09/2026

MAPPING THE RESOURCES THAT KEEP CULTURE ALIVE

“Map with people, not merely about them.”

This was one of the guiding principles behind the pilot Cultural Resource Mapping and Management workshop organised by P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation Ltd on 19 September 2026.

The three-hour workshop was held from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm at the Gelam Room, Malay Heritage Centre, with representatives from Singapore’s Banjar, Batak and Javanese communities.

It was designed to equip community heritage stewards, custodians and practitioners with a structured way to understand, map and strengthen their respective cultural and heritage ecosystems.

The workshop was facilitated by P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation co-founder Suryakenchana .

His approach to cultural safeguarding was initially inspired by Professor John Miksic’s modules on Cultural Resource Management. Suryakenchana subsequently developed these lessons further, creating his own model to help community heritage custodians examine cultural resources through three interconnected dimensions:

HERITAGE
What knowledge, practices, people, places, objects and memories have been inherited?

PRACTICE
How are these cultural resources currently being practised, transmitted and experienced?

PROSPECTS
What opportunities, support and plans are needed to safeguard them for the future?

During the workshop, participants were introduced to:

• Cultural Resource Mapping and Management
• UNESCO RLICH and National Heritage Board Roots as reference resources
• Methods for mapping cultural resources
• The Heritage–Practice–Prospects model for safeguarding cultural heritage

Through facilitated discussions and mapping exercises, participants examined the resources that help keep a community’s culture alive:

• People who carry knowledge and skills
• Cultural practices and traditions
• Stories, memories and languages
• Significant places and objects
• Community organisations and informal networks
• Opportunities for learning and transmission
• Gaps and risks that may affect continuity

They were also encouraged to consider several important questions:

• What cultural resources exist within our community?
• Who is safeguarding and transmitting them?
• Are these resources visible and accessible to the community?
• How should cultural knowledge be documented responsibly?
• What may be at risk of being lost?
• What should the community prioritise for safeguarding?

By the end of the workshop, representatives from each participating community had identified a cultural resource they would like to safeguard.

This was an important first step.

Cultural resource mapping should not be an extractive exercise in which outsiders document a community from a distance.

It should be undertaken with the community—respecting its knowledge holders, recognising its agency and allowing its members to determine what is important, what may be shared and how their heritage should be carried forward.

Following the session, a participant from the Banjar community shared:

“Kaum Banjar 100% supports and gives a full five-star rating to the workshop. Thank you, Pak Surya Kenchana, for sharing the beneficial knowledge and tips. May this programme continue to move further on.”

We are grateful for this generous feedback. More importantly, it reflects an interest in continuing the work beyond a single workshop.

The pilot also enabled P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation to better understand the challenges and aspirations of the participating communities.

It highlighted the need for further support and capacity building—not only in documenting cultural resources, but also in strengthening networks, developing sustainable safeguarding plans and equipping communities to manage their heritage for the future.

We extend our appreciation to the Malay Heritage Centre for sponsoring the venue and supporting this space for community learning and exchange.

Our thanks also go to the Banjar, Batak and Javanese representatives who contributed their knowledge, experiences and aspirations.

Cultural safeguarding should not be done only for communities.

Communities must be equipped to take an active role in identifying, managing and shaping the future of their own cultural resources.

This pilot is only the beginning. What we learned will guide the next stage of support and capacity building with the participating communities.

26/09/2026

STRENGTHENING OUR CAPABILITY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY

P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation Ltd recently attended a briefing by Yayasan MENDAKI on the Community Leaders Forum and Capability Development Scheme.

The Foundation was represented by board member Abdillah Zamzuri.

As a Community Leaders Forum partner, it is important that P.E.N.T.A.S continues strengthening its ability to develop programmes that are purposeful, responsive to community needs and aligned with longer-term community outcomes.

The briefing provided valuable guidance on how community partners can strengthen the development and implementation of their programmes and activities.

It also reinforced the importance of aligning our work with the MENDAKI 2030 Workplan, which focuses on:

• Nurturing confident learners
• Building stronger families
• Supporting a future-ready workforce
• Growing a thriving community

These priorities are particularly relevant to Project SUARA, which P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation is currently implementing with By Definition Pte Ltd as its project implementation partner.

Project SUARA supports children and youths from lower-income Malay/Muslim households in developing greater confidence in using the Malay language and expressing themselves through:

🎤 Public speaking
📰 Journalism
🎭 Drama

Through these learning experiences, participants will be given opportunities to organise their thoughts, communicate their ideas and develop the confidence to make their voices heard.

For P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation, capability development is not only about strengthening the individuals who participate in our programmes.

It also requires us, as an organisation, to continually improve how we:

• Understand community needs
• Define meaningful programme outcomes
• Prepare trainers and volunteers
• Build effective partnerships
• Implement programmes responsibly
• Learn from the communities we serve

The briefing was a timely reminder that meaningful community work requires both commitment and capability.

Good intentions must be supported by thoughtful programme design, responsible implementation and a willingness to continually learn and improve.

We thank Yayasan MENDAKI for bringing CLF partners together and providing the guidance needed to strengthen our collective efforts.

P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation remains committed to building the people, programmes and partnerships needed to support the continued development of the Malay/Muslim community.

📸: Mendaki

22/09/2026

PREPARING OUR PROJECT SUARA COMMUNITY TRAINERS

On 19 September 2026, P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation Ltd, through our project implementation partner By Definition Pte Ltd, conducted a Train-the-Trainers session for the Project SUARA Community Trainers - funded by Community Leaders Forum, supported by Yayasan MENDAKI

Held from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm at the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SMCCI) office at Jalan Pinang, the session prepared our trainers to deliver the three Project SUARA learning tracks:

🎤 Pidato
📰 Wartawan
🎭 Drama

The trainers familiarised themselves with the activities, facilitation processes and learning experiences they will be conducting with participating children and youths.

Beyond understanding what to teach, the session gave them an opportunity to experience the activities from a learner’s perspective, anticipate possible challenges and consider how they could make each workshop engaging and age-appropriate.

Programme Mentor Hidayah Juhari was present to support the participants throughout the session.

Musa from Parallax Atelier documented the training while also contributing insights from his experience within the education industry.

We were also joined by a special eight-year-old volunteer, Noah, who gave our trainers an important perspective on how younger children might understand, respond to and participate in the activities.

His presence reminded us that programmes designed for children must also be examined through the eyes of a child.

Training community trainers is an important part of Project SUARA. Quality programmes require more than good content—they require facilitators who understand the objectives, are prepared for the learners before them and can adapt while preserving the purpose of each activity.

We thank By Definition, our programme mentor, documentation partner, volunteer and Community Trainers for contributing their time, experience and energy to the session.

We look forward to seeing our trainers bring Project SUARA to the community.

20/09/2026

CONNECTING SCHOLARSHIP, HERITAGE AND EDUCATION THROUGH SRIVIJAYA

On 19 September 2026, P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation Ltd collaborated with ILUNI UI for a book discussion with van der Linde, author of Srivijaya: Power, Trade and Faith in Indonesia’s First Maritime Empire, at the Indonesian Embassy Singapore.

During the session, our co-founder, Abdillah Zamzuri, introduced the work of P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation and our commitment to capacity building within the Malay arts, language, culture and heritage sector.

He also shared his personal experience of visiting Candi Muaro Jambi when the site had only recently been opened to visitors. Through a friend working with the local archaeological department, he had the opportunity to encounter the site and learn more about its connection to the wider history of the region.

The discussion was especially timely as our sister organisation, By Definition Pte Ltd, is currently piloting an educational game based on Sejarah Melayu. The game introduces students to several stories, places and historical contexts associated with the Malay world, including aspects of the Srivijaya period.

This intersection between books, scholarship and educational innovation reflects an important part of our work.

Knowledge about the Nusantara should not remain confined to academic discussion. It can also be translated into programmes, stories, games and learning experiences that encourage younger generations to explore their heritage.

This collaboration with ILUNI UI was made possible through our fellow founding member, Suryakenchana. We thank him for facilitating the connection and helping to create this opportunity for regional exchange.

Our appreciation also goes to ILUNI UI, the Embassy of Indonesia in Singapore, Herald van der Linde and everyone who joined us for this meaningful discussion.

We look forward to further collaborations that strengthen knowledge, skills, networks and opportunities across the Nusantara arts, culture and heritage ecosystem.

Photos courtesy of Widhi for ILUNI UI

03/08/2026

Heritage is more than a collection of stories passed down to us. It must continue to be studied, discussed and developed so that it remains meaningful to future generations.

In a recent Berita Harian Singapura article, P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation Ltd co-founder Mr Suryakenchana shared his perspective on how Singapore’s Malay history and heritage are presented in the Malay Heritage Centre’s renewed permanent galleries.

While some visitors felt that the galleries’ narrative is now more closely aligned with the national narrative, with less emphasis on the Malay community’s regional connections and interactions, he chose to view this as an opportunity:

“I see it as an opportunity because we can extend the story and focus on developing our own Singapore Malay heritage.

“There are many more stories that can be told from every section of the new permanent galleries at the Malay Heritage Centre.”

This reflects P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation’s belief that safeguarding heritage requires more than preserving historical materials. It also calls for research, education, open dialogue and the active participation of the community.

We welcome the Malay Heritage Centre's commitment to listening to the community and expanding its storytelling through programmes, talks, research, digital content and collaborations with community partners.

Congratulations to Mr Suryakenchana for contributing a constructive perspective to this important conversation. We also thank Berita Minggu for providing a platform where the community’s voices and perspectives can be heard.

----------------

Warisan bukan sekadar kisah yang diwarisi. Warisan perlu terus dikaji, dibincangkan dan dikembangkan agar kekal bermakna untuk generasi seterusnya.

Dalam laporan Berita Minggu, pengasas bersama P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation Ltd, Encik Suryakenchana, berkongsi pandangannya mengenai cara sejarah dan warisan Melayu Singapura dipersembahkan di galeri tetap baharu Taman Warisan Melayu.

Walaupun terdapat pandangan bahawa naratif galeri kini lebih selaras dengan naratif nasional dan kurang memberikan penekanan terhadap keterkaitan serantau masyarakat Melayu, beliau memilih untuk melihatnya sebagai suatu peluang:

“Saya melihatnya sebagai peluang kerana kita boleh melanjutkan cerita dan memberi tumpuan kepada membangunkan warisan Melayu Singapura kita sendiri.

“Ada banyak lanjutan kisah untuk diceritakan daripada setiap seksyen dalam galeri tetap baru di TWM.”

Pandangan ini mencerminkan kepercayaan P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation bahawa usaha melindungi dan memastikan kelangsungan warisan memerlukan lebih daripada pemeliharaan bahan sejarah. Ia turut memerlukan penyelidikan, pendidikan, perbincangan terbuka dan penglibatan aktif masyarakat.

Kami mengalu-alukan usaha Taman Warisan Melayu untuk terus mendengar pandangan masyarakat serta memperluas penceritaan melalui program, ceramah, penyelidikan, kandungan digital dan kerjasama bersama rakan masyarakat.

Tahniah kepada Encik Suryakenchana atas perkongsian pandangan yang membina dalam perbincangan penting ini. Terima kasih juga kepada Berita Minggu kerana menyediakan ruang untuk suara dan perspektif masyarakat diketengahkan.

https://www.beritaharian.sg/gaya-hidup/perbincangan-mengenai-sejarah-warisan-melayu-spura-antara-usaha-twm-dekati-masyarakat

Terokai perbincangan mengenai sejarah dan warisan Melayu Singapura di Taman Warisan Melayu (TWM) dan bagaimana ia mendekati masyarakat.

30/09/2025

As the melting pot of cultures, the moon cake festival is one of the exciting events Singaporeans look forward to.

These days, it has become part of the community fabric where regardless of age and faith, everyone has an appreciation of mid-autumn festival through learning about the legend, enjoying the mooncakes and lantern display!

It is an opportunity to bring people together, to build peace and friendship!

25/08/2025

One of our co-founders, Mr Suryakenchana is in KL for the next few days for a Mental Health event.

Don't forget to say "Hi!" if you spot him around!!

19/08/2025

Co-founders of P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation Ltd, Abdillah Zamzuri (left) and Eman Lim (right), accompanied fellow Co-Founder, Suryakenchana Omar , for his meeting with Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs, Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim on 19 Aug 2025, to share and discuss aspirations to Safeguarding Community Arts, Culture and Heritage through Education.

We shared some of our plans and strategies we plan to take the Malay Muslim community forward through our initiatives, supported by By Definition Pte Ltd .

We look forward to be able to better support Minister and the Malay Muslim community as a whole.

Other co-founders not in photo: Mohamad Farid and Wan Haddad Salleh.

07/08/2025