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

Focus on Malay martial arts

Warm welcome: Wan Ali greeting Mawan (second from right) while RSS secretary-general Mohammad Haneef Ali (left) and the ministry’s acting permanent secretary Hamdan Sharbini look on in Kuching.

Some 400 silat masters from all over Sarawak will converge at Stadium Perpaduan for the 4th Silat Convention from Sept 28 to 30.

Rumpun Silat Sarawak (RSS) president Datuk Wan Ali Tuanku Yubi said the convention was aimed at promoting Malay martial arts and getting the teachers updated on silat’s latest developments.

“The idea is to get the teachers to learn new techniques and familiarise themselves with updates in martial arts which they could incorporate in their lessons,” he said during a courtesy call on Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Datuk Seri William Mawan Ikom in Kuching yesterday.

A total of six working papers will be presented and deliberated upon at the convention to be attended by some 5,000 people.

Among the paper presenters will be Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and Special Adviser in the Chief Minister’s Office Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is the RSS patron, is scheduled to officiate at the event’s opening.

Mawan said his ministry was supportive of silat’s development in Sarawak because it had cultural and social significance.

“We will help coordinate the convention as it is part of our social outreach programme. Our silat exponents have done us proud by winning a gold, two silver and five bronze at the recent Sukma,” he added.

RSS has 11 regional branches and 23,000 members.

Written by VANES DEVINDRAN
Photo by ANDRE OLIVEIRO
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Taking silat to the people

A new campaign launched recently plans to bring silat o the masses, especially youths.

Organised by the Persatuan Silat Cekak Hanafi, the Jom Silat campaign is a seven-year programme aimed at educating the public about the martial art form.

Officiated by Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah last week, the campaign will culminate in a mass silat demonstration involving 50,000 participants in 2015.

“Aside from being an art of self-defence, Silat also helps to instill the values of disicpline and teamwork among our university students,” said Saifuddin, adding that the campaign will give the martial art form more prominence.

Written by PRIYA KULASAGARAN
Sourced from http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/27/education/5353631&sec=education

Tun Fatimah Sri Kandi Melaka

Silat Cekak Hanafi Rakan Muda Rakan Wajadiri Carnival 2008

The Seni Silat Cekak Association, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia chapter is organising the Rakan Muda Rakan Wajadiri Carnival in conjunction with their 21 year celebration.

A Wajadiri Tournament for school and higher institution clubs will also be held as the anchor program for the carnival on the 26th of July 2008 at Sultan Iskandar Hall, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Skudai, Johor.

Organised by the Seni Silat Cekak Association, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, in collaboration with the Rakan Muda Secretariat, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia with the cooperation of the Student Affairs Office of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and the Malaysian Youth and Sports Ministry.

For more information, go to http://schutm.com/wajadiri/

Silat Cekak Malaysia 42 & 43 Anniversary Celebration

The Malaysian Seni Silat Cekak Association will be organising their 42nd 43rd Anniversary Celebrations on the 7th and 8th of June 2008 at the International Islamic Universiti Malaysia.

For more information on this event, go to http://silatcekak.org/42th/index.html

11th Silat Cekak Hanafi Wajadiri Tournament 2008

The 11th Silat Cekak Hanafi Wajadiri Tournament 2008 will be organised by the Malaysian Seni Silat Cekak Ustaz Hanafi Association in collaboration with the International Selangor Islamic College.

Date:
8 June 2008 (Sunday)

Venue:
Convention Centre,
International Selangor Islamic College (KUIS),
Bandar Sri Putra, 4300,
Bangi, Selangor.

For members at the public school and higher learning institution level who are interested to compete, please contact your class supervisors for more information, or go to http://cekakhanafi.com/.

Silat fit to be national art of self-defence, says Najib

SERDANG, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tonight said that silat is fit to be the national art of self-defense due to its many plus points.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that while the South Koreans had taekwando, Japan judo, Malaysia could make silat the national art of self-defense

He said this when opening the 14th National Silat Championships, which will be held from today until Nov 26 at the Universiti Tenaga Nasional, here

Najib was responding to a suggestion on it made by Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan in his speech at the opening of the championship earlier

"Apart from being the Malays' heritage, silat can be learnt by other races," said Najib when highlighting the benefits of silat in building the internal strength of its practitioners

The championship is being participated by 17 contigents from throughout the country

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Silat exponent dies after falling during display

SUNGAI PETANI, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- A silat exponent, Muhamad Hafiz Che Pin, 21, died on his way to a clinic after falling during a silat display at Aman Jaya, near here, today

Muhamad Hafiz and another exponent were in the midst of a display at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Aman Jaya, Sungai Lalang near here at 10.15am when he suddenly fell

One of his friends who declined to be named said, he was brought to a nearby clinic but died on the way

Muhamad Hafiz was a member of the Selekoh Tengah silat association and was invited to give a display as part of the school curriculum

He was said to be healthy before the show

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Brunei: Recognition for silat exponents

A certificate presentation ceremony to silat instructors and members of Perguruan Persilatan Panca Sukma was held yesterday at the RBRC Sports Complex in Berakas.

The event was organised by Perguruan Persilatan Panca Sukma in collaboration with RBRC Silat Club and Kg Keriam, Tutong of PPPS branch as well as PDS School of PPPS branch, Sengkurong Primary School Brunei III and OKAWSD Primary School of Kupang.

Present as the guest of honour was Awg Hj Arsad bin Abd Adis, Director of Co-curriculum, Ministry of Education. Also present were Awg Hassan bin Hj Tuah, President of Perguruan Persilatan Panca Sukma; committee members of the association, Ketua Kampong of Keriam, and principals of PDS Jangsak Gadong, OKAWSD Primary School of Kupang and Sengkurong Primary School Brunei III.

Silat is a form of martial art that has been practised in Brunei and is part of the local culture and accepted as a sport in the region.

The presentation of certificates to the instructors, leaders of silat clubs and members of Perguruan Persilatan Panca Sukma was done by the guest of honour.

There was a showcase of silat styles by various silat clubs under Perguruan Persilatan Panca Sukma. There was also a silat performance by members of the Brunei Sports School.

Silat activities conducted by the members were also on display at the RBRC gallery. It was aimed at informing and attracting the public on silat activities.

Written by JON TAMPOI
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-150889494/brunei-recognition-silat-exponents.html

KUALA TERENGGANU: Silat will be declared a national self-defence art and registered as a national heritage.

The Culture, Arts and Heritage ministry will work with the Education Ministry and the National Silat Federation (Persaka) in order to incorporate the art as part of the school's co-curriculum.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said this was also because silat originated in Malaysia . This move would see more Malaysians taking up silat, he told reporters after closing the Silat Festival 2006 here.

Various programmes will be organised to make silat more attractive to students including a nationwide convention in August. The ministry will also consult Persaka on the genres of silat it intends to protect and propogate. The three-day event saw 526 exponents demonstrating various genres of silat and featured an exhibition of silat-related items.

Written by SEAN AUGUSTIN
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Silat to be given national self-defence status

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 10 (Bernama) -- Silat, the Malay martial art, will be declared a national self-defence art soon

Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, who announced this today, said it was time for the government to give recognition to silat as it is a national heritage that originated in the country

"It is only fitting since the organisations under Pesaka (National Silat Federation of Malaysia) have a total of 4.2 million members," he told reporters after closing the first National Silat Festival at Gong Badak here

Also present were Pesaka acting president and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan and Terengganu state executive councillor Din Adam

Rais said silat would be registered as a national heritage under the National Heritage Act as the first step towards government recognition

After that, he would prepare a working paper for the federal and state governments to recognise silat as a national self-defence art

The Education Ministry and Higher Education Ministry would also be asked to make silat a subject in the co-curriculum in schools, colleges and universities, he said

Mohamad said Pesaka would hold a silat convention in Selangor in August to discuss the future direction of the martial art

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Najib: Silat must keep up with the times

KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - Silat should be embraced by people of all races.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said opportunities should also be given to non-Malays to become coaches and masters in silat.

"Through this approach we can attract more non-Malays to take up this sport. Eventually it can become a world renowned sport like taekwondo, judo and karate," he said.

Najib, in his speech at the Pertubuhan Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia annual dinner which was read by Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, said there should be continuity to ensure the art does not gradually die due to lack of interest.

He urged the association to be open minded and be receptive to changes. "Silat is currently being perceived as slow and soft. "The association has to change its moves in accordance with the trend.

"It must be portrayed as a dynamic art with fast, slick and entertaining movements," he said. Najib, who is the Ulul Amri III (equivalent to patron) of the association, also advised silat masters to listen to members and masters of other martial arts so that the art could be modified and improvised according to the times.

Also present at the dinner were mahaguru and silat lincah founder Datuk Omardin Mauju and New Straits Times Press Bhd group editor-in-chief Datuk Hishamuddin Aun and his wife Datin Norlinda Abdul Talib.

Hishamuddin has been appointed a member of the board of evaluators to pick the next mahaguru of the association.

In his speech, Hishamuddin said the media would continue to support silat as long as it was on track. "The moment it deviates from its original goals, we will not hesitate to criticise."

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SILAT DEVELOPS STRONG IDENTITY, SAYS MUHAMMAD

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- National Silat Federation President Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said tonight the Malay traditional martial arts form of silat could help build an individual's sense of tradition, ethics and values.

"Through the theory and practice of silat, a strong sense of sportmanship as well as a high level of discipline is developed.

"This means that the Malays can forge forward into the international arena in more ways than one," he said at a dinner of the Seni Silat Cekak Association of Malaysia.

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Silat groups can act as second line of defence

PEKAN, Sat. - Silat groups which boast a membership of four million can act as the second line of defence for the country, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.

Najib said as the Defence Minister, he acknowledged the role of silat practitioners and hoped they could lend their hand, especially in warding off enemies when needed.

"Apart from acknowledging silat as a Malay heritage, we also believe that those practising this type of martial art can help us defend the country," he said when opening a Silat Lincah gathering here.

Also present were Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, Pertubuhan Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia (PSSLM) chairman Datuk Omardin Mauju and New Straits Times Press deputy group editor-in-chief Datuk Hishamuddin Aun.

Najib said silat practitioners could assume this role as they were known for their loyalty to leaders and were well-disciplined.

"We need modern technology in our defence system but it will not be effective without people who have the fighting spirit and bravery," he said.

He said silat practitioners, including the 800,000 members of the PSSLM, were also taught to adopt good values in their life.

Najib also urged the silat practitioners to acquire knowledge and be open- minded to face the challenges ahead.

He also hoped that silat leaders would recruit more young members as this could deter them from getting involved in immoral activities.

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Najib: Silat exponents are second line of defence

PEKAN, March 26 (Bernama) - Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak described members of silat organisations as the country's asset which formed the second line of defence.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the discipline, courage, loyalty and spirit they acquired would be a strength in facing any outside threat.

"In the efforts to develop the strength of the people and the nation, we certainly need individuals who always have the sense of loyalty as found among members of the silat organisations," said Najib, who is also the Defence Minister.

"If all the more than 800,000 silat lincah exponents in this country possess such qualities, I am convinced no outside parties will ever dare to trigger chaos in our country," he said at a gathering of 500 members of the Pertubuhan Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia here today.

Najib said the government always supported the activities and efforts to expand silat organisations in view of their positive contributions to the people and the country.

He advised the members to also expand the scope of their knowledge to cover other fields, including science and technology, because this would give them extra strength.

Najib was presented with a sash and attire as the Ulul Amri (leader) III of the association by its Chairman Datuk Omardin Mauju.

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Fresh approach needed for silat bodies to woo young generation

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Traditional martial art organisations have been urged to adopt a fresh approach in terms of training methods in order to attract participation from the younger generation.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, when making the call, said the fresh approach was necessary to ensure continued interest in the cultural heritage among the younger generation.

"Otherwise, we will see our silat art dying one by one, especially those silat art which have little following and are seldom heard of," he said when launching the Martial Art Council (MARCIL), here.

He also reminded leaders of silat bodies not to reject elements of science and technology in enriching style and technique of the art so that it could be accepted by the international community as an art of self-defence that was not merely ritual in nature.

He said silat masters should also impart all their skills to the students so that they could be at par or even better than their masters.

"Silat masters should discard the old attitude of not imparting all their skills to the students for fear that their students would be better than them. That is why when the warrior Mat Kilau died, there was no one who could match him because no one had inherited his silat skills," Najib said.

He said besides having the ability to defend oneself from any threat, silat exponents were usually people of good character as they followed religious teachings and were of high morals.

"As such, the silat and martial art organisations with more than four million members formed a strong front in facing social threats," he said.

At the ceremony, Najib heard the pledge of allegiance to the government by representatives of about 130 silat and martial art organisations which were affiliated to MARCIL.

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Dont' use abilities for wrong purposes, silat exponents told

BUTTERWORTH, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Members of silat associations were today reminded to use their martial arts knowledge for the good of the people and the country.

Penang Federation of Malaysian Silat Associations (Pesaka) Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said exponents should not abuse the silat knowledge they have to create trouble and disturb the peace enjoyed by the people.

He was speaking to reporters after the opening of the Penang Silat Nusantara 2004 Carnival by the Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas at Dataran Pemuda Merdeka here today.

Some 600 silat exponents from 10 silat associations participated in the one-day carnival: Seni Silat Garuda Malaysia, Seni Silat Pusaka Gayong Malaysia, Seni Silat Cekak Malaysia, Seni Silat Gayong Malaysia, Seni Silat Melayu Asli, Seni Silat Pancaindera Lintau, Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia, Seni Silat Sendeng Tujuh, Seni Silat Sundang Pusaka and Seni Silat Gegaran Petani.

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Fighting to promote silat heritage

THE normally placid ground of Perak Museum in Taiping will see a bustle of "fighting" action.

Beginning Aug 21, visitors will be fascinated by seni silat groups of various disciplines taking turn to show off their skills and promote Malay martial art as a national heritage product for tourism.

"Accomplished silat practitioners are mostly found in rural areas and it is difficult to gather them. We are honoured to have them here in the interest of our heritage," said Zainal Abidin Jamaludin, Central Perak Museum and Antiquities Department director.

The month-long festival was officiated by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, recently.

"Besides Japan and Korea with their karate and takwondo, we are one of few countries that have their own form of martial art. Silat is indeed a national treasure which we must preserve," he said.

Silat exponents wage an impressive display of hand-to-hand combat and amaze audiences with their ingenuity in traditional weaponry such as the keris, parang and todak.

For details of schedules, contact 05-8072057.

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Silat should be shared with the world

KEPALA BATAS, Sun. - Silat, a martial art mostly known in the Malay archipelago, should be shared with the rest of the world.

In making the call today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also urged more non-Malays to learn the art as it teaches followers values like discipline and self-control.

He said these were among qualities which the Government hoped would be possessed by all Malaysians.

"As silat gains popularity among Malaysians, efforts should be made to introduce it in other countries," he said at the Malaysian Silat Lincah national gathering and presentation ceremony at SMK Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi here.

Abdullah's views were echoed by Culture, Art and Heritage Minister Datuk Rais Yatim who said silat had the potential to be recognised like taekwondo and karate.

He said a proposal to officially recognise silat as part of the country's heritage would be forwarded to the Government.

Also present were Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas, Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, several Cabinet ministers and local and international silat exponents.

Abdullah was later conferred the title "Ulul Amri ll", one of Silat Lincah's highest awards, by Rahman.

He was also presented with a headdress (tanjak), keris, sword, a replica house and a sash.

Others who received awards from the association were Koh, Rais, Information Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir and Penang Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah.

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