Rosmah Launches International Silat Championship 2012

MELAKA, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor launched the inaugural International Silat Championship 2012 at Dewan Tun Ali in Bukit Katil here Friday night.

In her speech, the prime minister's wife said, through the practice of the art of 'silat', the community could acquire inner strength, learn to be self-disciplined and possess a strong sense of loyalty and love for the country.

"What is interesting about silat is that it is not only practised among the Malay heroes, but also among heroines; women can gain from it as well," she said.

Rosmah cited Tun Fatimah, who was well-known for her silat skills, with which she helped Melaka win the fight against the Portuguese in the 16th century.

"This showed that women had long been associated with silat. We also should be proud that silat has been a competitive event at the Southeast Asian Games since 1979, and displayed at the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea in 2002," she said.

More than 350 participants and officials from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia will take part in the three-day championship organised by the Malaysian National Silat Federation.

Sourced from http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsindex.php?id=709552

Early boost to AUG hopes

With less than four months to go to the Laos Asean University Games (AUG), Malaysian silat exponents sent a clear warning to their rivals when they dominated proceedings on the final day of competition to clinch the overall champions title at the Deputy Prime Minister's International Pencak Silat Cup at the Square One Mall in Batu Pahat yesterday.

Malaysia emerged the overall champions at the Deputy Prime Minister’s International Pencak Silat Cup in Batu Pahat yesterday.

Malaysia emerged champions of the international category with a haul of 14 gold, three silver and five bronze medals with Singapore second with 5-9-3 and Vietnam third (2-3-2).

Malaysia team manager Azli Buddin said he was delighted with the victory, which he considered a huge boost for the exponents ahead of the AUG.

"This victory is the result of all the hard work and systematic planning our exponents and coaches have put in since the beginning of the year," said Azli, who is also the tournament director.

"We, however, cannot afford to rest on our laurels and will keep working hard in preparation for the Games."

Azli, who is also the Malaysian AUG silat team manager, said a number of talented new exponents had been identified from the tournament and have been shortlisted for the 28-member AUG squad.

The Malaysian team at the Pencak Silat Cup were represented by exponents from the Malaysian Universities Silat Focus Centre based in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn' s Johor campus.

"Quite a number of the exponents from our local category impressed us during the tournament and we will likely include at least three in the AUG squad."

Malaysia's Mohd Faizul Nasir and Siti Zubaidah Che Omar were picked as the top man and woman exponent respectively in the international category respectively.

Meanwhile, the local universities category saw Universiti Teknologi Mara emerge overall champions with eight gold, one silver and three bronze. Second were Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (4-2-4) with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (3-3-2) third.

Sourced from: http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/silat-early-boost-to-aug-hopes-1.147319

Last chance for hopefuls

Deputy Prime Minister’s International Pencak Silat Cup deputy chairman Prof Dr. Amir Hashim Mohd Kassim (centre), tournament director Azli Puddin (left) and Ministry of Higher Education Sports Department representative Tony Azman Hassan admiring the tournament trophy recently. Bernama pic 1 / 1 Malaysian AUG silat team manager Azli Puddin said 28 places on the team for Laos are up for grabs with the Pencak Silat Cup, to be held at the Square One Mall in Batu Pahat, being the final selection before the panel of national coaches finalises the squad.

COMPETITION for places on the national team heading to the Laos Asean University Games (AUG) is expected to climax when the Deputy Prime Minister's International Pencak Silat Cup moves into the business end of the tournament starting today.

The tournament, which has drawn over 600 entries from 11 countries and started with the preliminary rounds on Wednesday, moves into the knockout stages today. The competition ends tomorrow.

"We have done several rounds of selection including at the Malaysia Games, National Championships and also the Malaysian Universities Sports Council (Masum) Championships," said Azli, who is also the Pencak Silat Cup tournament director.

"We have a rough idea which exponents we will bring to the AUG. However, we are using this tournament to give those hoping to represent Malaysia in Laos a last chance to impress. This tournament provides students from every institution of higher learning the opportunity to show off their skills whether they are from public, private universities or polytechnics.

"We will convene for a selection panel meeting to discuss our choices when the tournament ends and announce the final 28-man squad within a week."

Azli added that the Pencak Silat Cup, organised by Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and the Higher Education Ministry with support from the Malaysian National Silat Federation (PESAKA), also provides the opportunity for Malaysian exponents to gauge their level of preparation before the AUG on Dec 12-22.

As one of the eight major university championships organised by the Higher Education Ministry annually, winners at the Pencak Silat Cup will also be contributing to their universities medal tallies at the Malaysian Institutions of Higher Learning Games (SUKIPT) which will held next month.

Written by Fadhli Ishak
Sourced from: http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/silat-last-chance-for-hopefuls-1.146508#ixzz274aWMmBG

PENCAK SILAT: Making sound progress on two fronts

The Ministry of Higher Education's efforts to develop pencak silat both as a sport and a relevant industry have found some success.

With the Deputy Prime Minister's Cup International Pencak Silat Tournament in Batu Pahat, Johor on Sept 17-22 set to feature 600 exponents, including 80 representatives from foreign institutes of higher learning, that success will be further established. This will be the third edition of the tournament that was first held in Kulai, Johor in 2010, followed by the second at Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur last year. Tun Hussein Onn University Malaysia (UTHM) deputy vice chancellor of student affairs Professor Dr Amir Hisham Mohd Kassim said the growth is particularly seen in the increase in interest from foreign university students.

"While we began with foreign participation from Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, this time the number of countries participating will see a significant increase, adding to the prestige of the international category contested in the tournament," said Dr Amir Hisham.

This year's tournament, which will see 44 gold medals contested, will also welcome participation from Brunei, Laos, The Philippines, Belgium and the Netherlands. "We have also made significant progress in promoting the Malay version of silat actively to foreign students attending local universities," said Dr Amir Hisham. "Foreign students have also been given the chance to deepen their knowledge of silat, through placements with traditional silat schools in rural areas."

With 520 Malaysian students competing, the event will also feature medals for top ranked local exponents, while the international category will also see the host contingent defending the overall title they won last year after losing out to Singapore in 2010.

There will also be a category for Malaysia-based foreign students. The gold medals in the Malaysian category will also count towards the medal tally of the Institutes of Higher Learning Games in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 28-Nov 11.

Sourced from http://www.nst.com.my/nation/politics/pencak-silat-making-sound-progress-on-two-fronts-1.142522#ixzz26DvrXaPh

Way of the silat warrior

SPARKS flew as martial arts practitioners tried to outwit each other in a series of close quarters hand-to-hand ‘engagements’ steeped in tradition.

Displaying formidable skills, the 15-member Pertubuhan Seni Silat Pusaka Gayong Pulau Pinang kept onlookers entertained during their performance at Gurney Plaza in Penang. The exhibition, held in conjunction with the mall’s Hari Raya celebrations, saw the silat exponents taking turns to duel with each other in simulated combat.

With quick hand moves and agile footwork, the exponents were able to deflect incoming strikes, grapple their opponents to the ground, and dish out their own attacks.

The intensity of duels steadily built up during the showcase, culminating in routines that had exponents sparring each other with bamboo staffs, daggers and machetes.

Fierce fight: Two exponents fighting with weapons.

The group’s customary chief and instructor Rusli Hashim said Silat Gayong originated from the Bugis people in the Indonesian archipelago.

According to him, a noble warrior once taught the art to seven royal siblings, and when they later journeyed across the region, the know-ledge and skills also spread to places where they settled down.

“As we approach Hari Raya Aidilfitri, we are pleased to be able to share a notable element of Malay culture.

“Silat is an ancient art that has been our heritage for generations since the times of Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat."

Rusli also cautioned spectators not to attempt any of the stunts they saw at home, for practitioners needed to undergo years of training to attain their skills.

While it is best for one to pick up silat from a young age, he said older adults should have no problems learning the martial art through less vigorous ways.

Unarmed but deadly: Silat masters demonstrating the art of hand to hand combat.

Gurney Plaza marketing communications manager Peter Chan said such showcases indirectly helped to promote Penang and Malaysia to foreign tourists, many of whom visit the mall.

“With many visitors coming in for the Malaysian Mega Sale, it is a great opportunity for us to share our local culture.

“For Chinese New Year, we usually have kung fu performances. And with Hari Raya around the corner, we thought a silat showcase to complement our line-up of cultural dances would be very appropriate,” he added.

The mall’s festive activities continue during the week.

Shoppers can enjoy traditional Malay dances and Boria performances set to take place over three days from Aug 18 beginning 2pm at the New Wing Atrium.

Those who spend RM150 and above from any outlet in maximum of two combined receipts from now until Aug 18 may also redeem exclusive Raya Packets.

These are limited to three packs per shopper per day, while stocks last.

Sourced from http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/8/7/north/11803910

DPM calls for continuous effort to promote silat

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called for a continuous effort to strengthen silat activities, saying the Malay martial art is capable of being a bulwark in defending the nation’s sovereignty and security.

He added that silat has an important role in the life and culture of the Malays not only in moulding their character but in the past, it had also been used by Malay warriors to defend their motherland.

“Silat, as a cultural heritage of the Malays, should continue to be promoted through various activities, combining the efforts of silat associations as well as members of the various silat disciplines,” he said at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium, here yesterday.

Muhyiddin also hailed the initiatives taken by the Malaysian National Silat Federation (Pesaka) in promoting the martial art.

He expressed the hope for such initiatives to be further intensified to ensure silat would continue to have a strong place in the society particularly among the young people.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin also spoke about the gathering organised by an opposition-supported organisation on Saturday. He said the gathering was an effort by the opposition to poison the minds of the people ahead of the coming general election.

“We know what they are up to,” he said.

Muhyiddin also announced an allocation of RM150,000 to help Pesaka organise silat-related activities. On Pesaka’s request that a silat hall be set up in Kuala Lumpur, Muhyiddin said he would discuss the matter with their representatives. — Bernama

Sourced from: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/04/30/dpm-calls-for-continuous-effort-to-promote-silat/

DPM welcomes Pesaka's intention as a defence frontline

Kuala Lumpur: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin welcomed the intention of the National Silat Federation (Pesaka) to be installed as one of the country’s defence frontline.

Muhyiddin said the idea was well received to further enhance the security measures of the country to combat subversive elements from threatening its solidarity.

“The silat plays an important role in the Malay culture and the local warriors of the yesteryears or pendekars had practiced it to defend the country in times of adversity.” Thus, Muhyiddin said silat needs to be further popularised to spread the importance of the heritage.

“I hope that Pesaka would continue to organise more activities which appeal to the younger generation while promoting the art,” he said in his speech at the closing of the 16th National Silat Championship, at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium in Cheras, near here.

Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said he saw silat as an art which stressed on high discipline and mental strength.

“I believe that silat can be used to shape positive values and building characteristics among the youths. “It allows for positive values to be instilled into our younger ones and can help to prevent them from getting involved in misdeeds of sorts in this fast paced and borderless day and age.”

Muhyiddin also urged the various silat associations, in the country, to defend the Malay values and culture as well as uphold Islamic teachings in the course. He also announced RM 150,000 allocation in addition to RM 238,000 which would be channeled to Pesaka to help its efforts to promote silat.

“It is my hope that silat, which is a valuable heritage, can be put to good use to defend our country as well.”


Sourced from http://www.nst.com.my/latest/dpm-welcomes-pesaka-s-intention-as-a-defence-frontline-1.78908

Rina defies doctor’s orders to regain national title

KUALA LUMPUR: Former world champion Rina Jordana took her rightful place as the queen of silat olahraga after defying the doctor’s orders to regain her national title at the 16th National Silat Championships at the KLBA Stadium in Cheras.

The 32-year-old Rina last won the national title in 2006 before quitting in 2007 – the same year she was crowned world champion – due to work commitments.

Although she did not have high hopes prior to the tournament, Rina was a cut above her rivals and dominated Kedah’s Nur Adilah Abdul Hamid in the final of the women’s Class B (50-55kg).

The five judges scored 17-9, 13-8, 15-4, 14-9, 17-12 in her favour despite Rina fighting with a broken toe.

“I honestly did not expect to win here because I have not been training regularly,” said Rina, who has also represented Malaysia in futsal.

“I’ve been playing more futsal of late but silat remains my first love. That’s why I decided to compete in the national championship.

“Unfortunately, I had to change my style in the semi-final and final and I couldn’t go on the attack because of the injury and it was my experience which helped me overcome my opponents.

“I am not sure if I will return to the national team but if I am given a chance I will give it a shot,” added Rina, who won a gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games when silat was a demonstration sport.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Nur Jannah Alias was a big winner after walking away with three gold medals in the silat seni category.

Sourced from http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2012/4/29/sports/11199229&sec=sports

2 until 7 June 2011 National Junior Silat Championship at Melaka

Over 400 pesilat from around the country expect to attend the National Junior Silat Championship-9 at Mini Stadium, organized in Ayer Keroh here, at 2 to 7 June.

President of the National Silat Federation of Malaysia (Estate), Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the six-day championship will have 18 such categories and Jutsu Silat Tunggal.

"Championships are a vital field for the Estate pesilat young talent from around the country to be trained to be able to pesilat did the country some day," he told reporters after chairing the Exco meeting Estate in Ayer Keroh yesterday.

He is also Chief Minister said, the Estate now has four million members under the auspices of 372 universities across the country and they are important assets to bring martial arts into a new era.

2,083 Students Competed in Pencak Silat Championship

A championship of pencak silat (Indonesia traditional martial art) is opened today (2/27) by Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo. In this event, as much as 2,083 students of junior high school (SMP), Madrasah Tsanawiyah (MTs) Islamic school, senior high school (SMA), and vocational school (SMK) from all over Jakarta will be competed in 2,015 matches. The championship itself is held by Jakarta Education Department and took place at Padepokan Pencak Silat Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), East Jakarta, until Saturday (3/3).

According to Fauzi, pencak silat is one of nation’s cultural heritages. Therefore, it must be preserved. And one of the ways to preserve it is by holding championship like this. “Jakarta Provincial Government very much supports this competition. Because, it has strategic values as mentioned in the competition theme, which is pencak silat as means in creating Indonesia students and generations with characteristic, sportive attitude, and tough,” he stated, Monday (2/27).

Moreover he mentions that pencak silat for Betawi people is an effective means to create strong soul and tough mental. Therefore, he asks the students in this championship not to give up easily and must improve their martial art skill as well as respect their opponents by upholding sportsmanship.

“I’m happy that pencak silat championship is continuously being held. I was once led Jakarta Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI). Nowadays, pencak silat training is very amazing. Surely I hope this cultural heritage would be continuously preserved. Continuous training is needed, like this competition. And for the future I hope that Jakarta students can join the National Sports Week (PON), National Students Sports Week (Popnas), and Regional Sports Week (Popwil) and come out as the overall winner,” expressed Fauzi.

Head of Jakarta Education Department Taufik Yudi Mulyanto told the 2,083 students in this championship are consist of 1,250 SMP/MTs students and 833 SMA/SMK students from 328 schools in Jakarta. “This championship aims for further training and development from extracurricular activity in school as well as to channel student’s talent and interest in martial art, beside to preserve nation character’s values through pencak silat. In addition, this championship is also to prepare candidate athletes for the 2012 Popwil event,” he explained.

Sourced from http://www.beritajakarta.com/2008/en/newsview.aspx?idwil=0&id=22512

Four die in extreme martial arts tests

Four martial arts students have died while attempting to achieve invulnerability in extreme tests in separate incidents in Greater Jakarta, and East Nusa Tenggara.

Two men in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara died on Tuesday as a vehicle drove over their bodies. A third man remains in critical condition.

The trio, all assistant coaches at the Kera Sakti pencak silat martial arts school, were identified as Ebiridio Sarmento, 20; Elder Cruz, 21; and Abilio Fretes, 18.

The three performed their test at the Noelbaki bus terminal. Witnesses said they first took rat poison and survived.

When none of them fell sick, they proceeded to the next test.

“The three members later proceeded by laying down in the street while some motorcyclists drove over their bodies with their bikes a few times,” a fellow school member, Alberto Amaral, said on Tuesday.

“Nobody got injured,” he added.

The three then decided to allow a four-wheel vehicle carrying dozens of passengers to roll over their bodies.

Their request was granted. However, this time the results were gruesome.

“They screamed when the vehicles passed over their bodies. When the show was over, we found their bodies were crushed,” Alberto said.

Sarmento died at the scene, while Cruz died on the way to hospital.

Fretes is currently in critical condition at a hospital in Kupang.

Kupang Police criminal investigations chief Adj. Comr. Yohanes Kristian Tanau said they had named the school’s leaders, Egidius Sarmento and Antonio Tinto, as suspects.

Officers also took into evidence a car, two motorcycles and rat poison as evidence and were also questioning Brendo, the driver of the vehicle that passed over the men.

In a separate incident on Monday, two pencak silat enthusiasts from Cilincing, North Jakarta — brothers Slalindar Andri Wibowo, 24, and Dedi Supriyadi, 26 — died from severe burns after they were doused with acid in a test of their immunity against weapon attacks.

“[Andri and Dedi] learned to master a weapon-resistant skill. But when acid was poured on them, they were severely injured,” their sister, Lisa Faja Riana, said after viewing their bodies at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital morgue on Tuesday.

Lisa said her brothers and two friends, identified as Oman and Hendra, went to Serang, Banten, on Saturday evening to look for a master who could teach them immunity against weapons.

Banten is famous for a traditional performance called the debus in which a performer demonstrates his invulnerability to weapons and fire.

“Andri told his wife that he went to a prayer gathering to learn religion instead,” Lisa said as quoted by kompas.com.

Lisa said the family was informed about the incident on Sunday evening after one of the victims’ friends called to inform them that the brothers were dead and their bodies were in a hospital in Serang.


Sourced from http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/02/22/four-die-extreme-martial-arts-tests.html

PESAKA Aim To Defend Overall Champs Title At Belgium Open

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- The national silat squad will be going all out to defend the overall champion title at the 24th Belgium Silat Open Championship which will be held from May 1-8.

National Silat Federation (Pesaka) coordinator Osman Nok said the squad, which won seven gold medals previously, needed to defend the championship to prepare for several other competitions this year.

Osman, who is also Pahang Pesaka secretary, told Bernama today that Pesaka would depend on both new and experienced exponents at the championship.

Sourced from http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newssport.php?id=641726

PESAKA banks on Sea Games squad

THE Malaysian National Silat Federation (Pesaka) is banking on its Sea Games gold medallists to deliver the goods at the inaugural Sydney Open Championships on Jan 23-30.

Pesaka coordinator Osman Nok said the federation will be sending four athletes to the tournament which is set to feature competitors from 17 nations but will, however, be without two big names in the sport-- Thailand and Indonesia.

Jakarta Sea Games gold medal winning trio Ahmad Sharil Zailudin, Mohd Al Jufferi Jamari, Mohd Fauzi Khalid and silver medallist Siti Rahmah Mohamed Nasir are the four athletes going to Australia.

"The four of them are only returning to centralised training today (yesterday) since we broke camp after the Sea Games but we do not expect that to be a problem as they are at a good level of fitness, having trained by themselves at state level," said Osman.

"We are confident of winning three gold medals at the event but do not expect things to be easy despite Indonesia and Thailand not competing.

"Vietnam will be our biggest rivals there but we expect the competition from Middle Eastern countries to be stiff as well.

"Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan also can't be ruled as we have seen them compete in the past and they have shown tremendous power, stamina and fighting spirit.

"We are not sure what they will bring to the table this year but we will not be taking them lightly as they are a definitely a threat to any team."

The tournament serves as part of the national exponents preparation for the Southeast Asian championships in Vietnam this July.

Written by FADHLI ISHAK
Sourced from http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/silat-pesaka-banks-on-sea-games-squad-1.30215