Silat members should contribute to develop the art

The approximately four million silat exponents across the country are urged to develop the self-defence art in this modern era as it is one of the benchmarks for the success or destruction of the Malays.

The National Silat Federation (PESAKA) secretary-general, Senator Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Tan Sri Omardin said, although some people assumed the national heritage was no longer suitable due to the development of sophisticated weapons, the current situation showed that people had to master the martial art for self defence and to face emergency situations.

"For example the incident of an uber driver beaten up by a group of men in Penang can be avoided if he had the silat skill," he said at the PESAKA certificate presentation ceremony, here today.

He described silat exponents in this country as being lucky as the government recognised their contributions and provided various training facilities for them.

"In 2015, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has declared silat as the country's official art of self-defence, and national silat athlete Mohd Al Jufferi Jamari was honoured as the Sportsman of the Year at the 2015 National Sports Award ceremony.

"The recognition can be an eye-opener for society and to nurture the activity at an earlier stage, silat programme in school should be introduced," he said.

-- BERNAMA