SINGAPORE: The civic centre in Geylang Serai will be known as Wisma Geylang Serai.
That entry emerged as the winning name for the proposed centre, which was first announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in August 2011.
The 10,000 square
metre centre is expected to house a Malay Heritage Gallery, the Geylang
Serai community club, Southeast community development centre, as well as
some arts groups.
It will be completed by 2016.
The
name Wisma Geylang Serai was finalised by a panel chaired by former
Member of Parliament Yatiman Yusof, after taking into consideration the
vision and intended uses for the centre, as well as the results of the
online public voting in February from a shortlist of 10 names nominated
by the public.
The panel felt that "Wisma" reflects the
distinctive cultural identity of Geylang Serai, and is also
forward-looking and cosmopolitan.
Mr Yatiman said: "The panel had
considered the fact that 'Wisma' had been used as the working name for
the civic centre. However, we decided that this should not prejudice our
choice, as the final chosen name should be based on what best
represents the civic centre as a distinctive and progressive cultural
and community hub in Geylang Serai.
"This process has also
unveiled the deep interest that the Malay community has in the cultural
identity of the civic centre. I hope that the Malay culture and heritage
will be expressed through the architecture and streetscape of the
Geylang Serai precinct when it is fully developed."
Dr Maliki
Osman, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development, who
oversees efforts for the civic centre, has accepted the panel's
decision.
He said: "We are delighted that the name has been
finalised after a rigorous public engagement process over the past few
months. I would like to thank Pak Yatiman, his panel, and members of the
public for taking the time and effort to be involved in this iconic
project for Geylang Serai and for Singapore.
- CNA/fa