Study why silat is losing appeal

22 Jan 2006, MALAYSIA, Pulau Pinang - Silat is losing its glamour among the Melayu and a study needs to be carried out to find out the reasons.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) Prof Datuk Dr Muhammad Idiris Saleh said the martial art was fast losing its appeal and only three silat conventions were held since 1973.

“We need to study why many Melayu youths are no longer interested in silat and why such conventions are rarely held,” he said after opening the third convention in USM yesterday.

Prof Muhammad noted that other martial arts such as taekwondo and judo had gained international following.

“There must be something extra in the other martial arts that have gained the attention of the international community. We must look into all aspects to make sure silat gains popularity,” he added.

Sourced from http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/1/22/nation/13184017&sec=nation

RTM TO SCREEN MALAY MARTIAL ART PROGRAMME - KADIR

KULIM, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- RTM will soon air a programme on silat, a popular Malay martial art, to woo the younger set to take up the art of self-defence, Information Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir said last night

He, however, said the government broadcaster had not decided whether to show the programme on TV1 or TV2

In the wake of the country facing diverse social ills, he said, silat should be encouraged among youths and the younger generation of Malaysia's plural society

"Hence, I'll try to find a suitable slot to expose the various forms of the Malay martial arts that existed in the country to be viewed by the younger generation to curb the spread of negative influences," he told reporters after officiating at "Malam Pendekar Lincah" organised by the Kedah Seni Silat Lincah Association

Kadir also said RTM did not want to be a "dumping ground" for low-quality programmes and would be more careful in selecting its programmes

"We'll reject suppliers supplying sub-standard programmes to RTM," he said

He also said RTM's viewers and listeners had increased since the recent re-branding of television channels and all 32 RTM radio stations nationwide

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