Datuk Seri Najib Razak said silat needs to be developed while the practitioners of this martial arts must enhance their expertise to become the nation's third defence mechanism apart from the military and police.

The prime minister hoped that silat at the grassroots level in the villages, housing estates, institutions of higher learning and elsewhere would continue to sprout.

"In line with the government's aspiration to ensure the continuity of silat as a national heritage in this country, I declare it as an official defence mechanism," he said.

He was officiating the Pertubuhan Seni Silat Gayong Malaysia (PSSGM) building, which was named Wisma Gayong in Kampung Pandan, here today.

Najib's text of speech was read by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

He said the young people should be aware that the threat of life now came from a variety of angles, not only from social problem and drugs, but also outside elements such as IS terrorists.

"I am confident children of Silat Gayong will not be stuck with this problem as earlier on they have been taught to obey teachers, parents, and religion," he said.

He said Silat Gayong had created a synergy of effort and passion in supporting the nation's leadership since pre-independence, when PSSGM founder, the late Datuk Meor Abdul Rahman showed the organisation's commitment while the country was faced with the Japanese occupation, British colonialism and communist threats.

Najib said since it was estabished in 1963, Gayong martial arts had expanded not only in the country but also throughout the region and globally.

"And with the success of Gayong practitioners to have this Gayong building, it is very apt that the spirit of Gayong's success continues to expand the Malay arts of denfence to the rest of the world," he said.

Also present were PSSGM president Datuk Adiwijaya Abdullah, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan and Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Jen Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.