From Majapahit to PWTC

KUALA LUMPUR: An avid collector of antique keris for 17 years, S. Amin Shahab had never given any thought of parting with any of his prized possessions.

However, his dream of owning the Sundang keris, the biggest in the keris family, which can fetch up to RM20,000, has forced the award-winning movie director and music composer to let go some of his cherished items with a heavy heart.

“This is the best way for me to raise funds to buy the Sundang,” Amin told The Malay Mail when met at his stall at the Umno General Assembly in Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.

Successful silat convention

Deadly moves: The Helang Putih Perkasa team showing some of the movements in sparring.

The 4th Sarawak Silat Masters Convention 2010 in Kuching recently was a huge success.

Rumpun Silat Sarawak (RSS) secretary-general Muhammad Haneef Ali said the objective of the four-day convention was to encourage and promote the art of silat among the people especially the younger generation.

“Through the convention we were able to develop the art of silat through ideas and discussions among the participants,” he said, adding that the participation of the young was vital in keeping silat alive.

The convention, which started last Friday and ended on Monday, was jointly organised by RSS and the Social Development and Urbanisation Ministry.

The opening ceremony at the Sarawak Indoor Stadium in Petra Jaya last Saturday, where 400 silat masters showed their prowess, had attracted some 5,000 spectators.

“I think this year’s silat convention is very interesting especially the silat demonstration by the Debus Team from Java,” said a spectator, Mohd Fezull.

He said the performance by the silat exponents from West Kalimantan also thrilled him and the other spectators.

Mohd Fezull hoped this art of self-defence would also be extended to other races apart from the Malays.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said at the opening of the convention that greater effort was needed to encourage the participation of the younger generation. He also said women should take up silat to protect themselves.

“I will personally sponsor anyone who wants to spread silat teachings in Sarawak,” said Taib.

Silat originally developed in Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand and Singapore. It was also traditionally practised in Brunei, the Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.

There are 23,000 RSS members from all over Sarawak but many students had not join the association.

Written and Photo by REEN REIRA
Sourced from http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/10/1/southneast/7129451&sec=southneast

Fourth Sarawak Silat Convention today

KUCHING: Some 400 silat masters statewide are expected to attend the Fourth Silat Convention here today.

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is expected to officiate at the event at the State Indoor Stadium.

Troupes from the Rumpun Silat Sarawak (RSS), and the Social Development and Urbanisation Ministry will display their prowess in this enduring Melayu martial art with a special appearance by a team from Kalimantan Barat.

Perlis all out to spur silat activities

KANGAR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- All Kampung and Security Development Committees (JKKK) have been asked to submit proposal to set up a silat court in their respective kampungs in efforts to popularise the Malay martial art.

Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the state government would ensure that each silat court would be used only for healthy and proper activities.

"We want silat activities placed on proper footing although exponents could have come from different political beliefs," he said when closing the Perlis Silat Carnival 2001 in Arau, near here today.

Shahidan, who is also president of Perlis Silat Association, also advised silat exponents not to forget their duties to the nation and not to be influenced by groups with narrow-minded views of things.

Some 260 silat exponents took part in the three-day carnival.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-78978698/perlis-all-out-spur.html

PM hails nation’s ‘third line of defence’

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has paid tribute to members of the country’s largest silat seni gayong or Malay martial arts association who he said had contributed much to peace.

He described members of the National Silat Seni Gayong Association as the country’s defenders who were willing to make sacrifices, including giving up their lives, to protect the nation.

“I consider the silat gayong association as one of three important groups in our line of defence, who can protect the country’s sovereignty and security. The first two are members of the armed forces and the police.

10 Silat Exponents To Represent Country In August

KULAI, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Ten silat exponents, including two national silat exponents, will represent the country in the Asean University Games (AUG) to be hosted by Thailand, in Chiangmai from Dec 15-23.

Silat team manager Azli Puddin said with the presence of the two national silat exponents, the silat team has been targetted for two gold medals.

"We believe the target of winning one gold medal each in silat seni and silat olaraga can be achieved," he told Bernama here Friday.

Malacca government needs RM135mil to recreate Hang Tuah villlage in Kg Duyong

Site visit: Mohd Khalil (centre) visiting the proposed Hang Tuah village site while accompanied by Mohd Ali and other guests.

MALACCA: The state government is seeking RM135mil to recreate the village of 14th century legendary Malay warrior Hang Tuah in Kampung Duyong, which has been identified as a tourist attraction.

The project, will cover a total area of 24.7ha within Kampung Duyong, next to Sungai Duyong with Hang Tuah’s well being one of the main attractions.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said 20 of the existing homes in the village would be restored while 25 kampung styled homes from all over the state would be also restored and relocated here.

“We have applied for the funding from the Federal Government and we are awaiting approval which we will know by the end of November.

“If all goes well, we can start the tender for the project by December,” he said, adding the project would be carried out in phases and was expected to be completed in 2012.

He told reporters this after accompanying Malacca Governer Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob on a visit to the proposed site in Kampung Duyong here on Monday.

Besides restoring and preserving the homes, he said the village would also house a museum and gallery, as well as homes of the five famous Malay warriors during the 14th Century Malay Sultanate (Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Hang Lekir, Hang Kasturi and Hang Lekiu).

“We also plan to build an arena for playing tops as well as a silat arena to showcase the art of silat, especially those that was practiced during Hang Tuah’s time,” he added.

Kampung Duyong is said to be the birthplace of Hang Tuah, the legendary warrior who served the Malacca Sultanate Empire.

The present village is said to be the Hang Tuah’s home, owing to the presence of an ancient well, believed to have healing properties and said to have been dug by Hang Tuah.

Written by CINDY TAN
Sourced from http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/10/1/southneast/7129451&sec=southneast