'One School One Silat' programme to begin in April

The 'One School One Silat' programme is scheduled to be implemented by the Education Ministry next month as part of the effort to introduce the Malay art of self-defence to students.

Malaysian National Silat Federation chairman (Pesaka) Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam said the move would also ensure the art continued to grow in the country.

He said it was also in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's announcement last September in recognising "silat" as the country's official art of self-defence.

"Today, the silat is getting response from the non-Malays, like we (Malays) are interested in taekwondo and karate," he said at a silat programme here last night.

Ali said with the recognition given by the government to silat, more universities in the country should make the art of self-defence as part of their co-curriculum activities.

So far, only Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has made the "Seni Silat Cekak Malaysia" as a co-curriculum subject with six credit hours.

In another development, Mohd Ali said a gathering of silat associations nationwide would be held in Kuala Lumpur on May 14.

He expected about 200,000 silat enthusiasts to be present at the event.