But where's the Malay input?
BIG bucks and big plans. That's what Mr Jeffrey Chan, 35, general manager of Malay Village Pte Ltd, claims he has for the place.
He claimed he has $50 million from investors in China and Thailand. He declined to reveal more or give details of who these investors are.
Mr Chan said a draft proposal was submitted to the authorities last week.
Plans include tearing down the Minangkabau-styled kampong structures, rebuilding with a similar 'kampong ambience' and adding 20 per cent more retail space.
Mr Chan said he is also bringing in shops which can pull in traffic, like halal food outlets. The 2.2-ha space, which is about the size of two football fields, has 80 units now. Some 90 per cent are occupied.
His management took over in April 2006 and the current lease expires in 2011.
At a press conference yesterday, Mr Chan said he is waiting for an appointment with the Housing Board - which owns the land - to discuss ideas and secure approval for the lease to be renewed for up to 30 years.
When asked if he had consulted anyone on the plans or was looking at any similar culture-focused retail space as a model, Mr Chan said 'No'.
He had also not spoken to the Urban Redevelopment Authority, which is studying plans for the Paya Lebar area, where the Malay Village is situated.
Said Mr Chan: 'The ideas are brought up by us. We are not copying anyone.
'There is no point spending time and money to talk to people until we can get... approval from HDB.'
Mr Chan said the revamp plans will revive the Village into something of a 'Malay hub'.
Malay culture will be kept alive, he promised, with more cultural performances and exhibits of Malay icons and pioneers.
He said: 'Our team is trying our best to provide this service to the Malay community.'
Out of the six management committee members, two are Malay - his secretary and his marketing manager.
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Doesn't he think getting more feedback from the community will be necessary in planning such a Malay-themed location?
Mr Chan said his personal experience will help.
He said: 'I do know something about Malay culture. I was brought up in a kampong and a nenek (Malay for grandmother) helped care for me when I was younger.'
He said his previous tie-ups of activities with Malay organisations and mosques would also help.
When contacted, Mr Mohamed Akbar Kader, 46, vice-president of the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: 'If the intention is to preserve the cultural aspect, then you have to consult people from the community or get their support.
'If you go purely commercial, then the idea of making a Malay cultural hub there could fail.'
Another industry observer said basic market research has to be done, like getting feedback from business organisations, cultural leaders and even tourism officials.
He said: 'How do you expect to come up with a plan without proper research?'
Since its inception in 1989, the Malay Village has changed management five times and has been described as a white elephant. It has also been plagued by poor business.
But the general manager remained optimistic.
Rebutting comments that the place seemed dead, Mr Chan said: 'Have they come inside and taken a look?'
His events manager, Mr Ken Tan, said about 450,000 people attended weddings at the Malay Village last year and about 1,800 tourists visited the museum there.
Late last year, they started welcoming school groups to the area.
Spa boss Siti Suhaila Yahya sees Malay Village as having potential.
Her Wayan Retreat Balinese Spa, which is taking up the largest unit of 7,000 square feet there, will open in May.
Ms Siti Suhaila, 30, said: 'I see this place as a diamond in the rough. It is a strategic business decision... my location is facing the wet market and this area is an ideal Malay catchment market for me.'
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Kg Glam, Geylang Serai tourist attractions: STB
BOTH Geylang Serai and Kampong Glam will be continue to be promoted as places showcasing unique aspects of Muslim culture here.
Singapore Tourism Board's (STB's) Director of Cluster Development, Sightseeing and Cruises, Ms Carrie Kwik, said this in response to The New Paper queries on which is the Malay hub of Singapore.
Kampong Glam, she noted, was one of Singapore's oldest settlements. It was a transit hub for regional Haj pilgrims and housed the Malay royalty of Singapore.
Geylang Serai, a gathering place for local Malays, will remain a selling point to tourists interested in observing daily life, she said.
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