SARATOK: Young people need to be taught that their involvement in the art of silat is not only for competition, but also to preserve silat as the heritage of the Malays.
Kalaka assemblyman Mohamad Duri said that the Malays were famous for their martial art in the past.
“Just like other nations, they have their own self-defence art. In that regard, silat as a very valuable heritage in Malay culture and art needs to be defended.
“Inculcate in the young people who participate the spirit to master silat not just for competition, not just to fight, but to preserve silat as a heritage that will be known by future generations,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the Saratok District 2024 Gayong Sarawak Closed Martial Arts Tournament at the SJKC Min Syn Open Hall near here, today.
The text of his speech was read out by Deputy Head of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Kalaka Branch Councillor Kasdi Pandi.
He explained that silat was promoted and raised as the third defence platform of the country and also successfully listed under the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity category by the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO).
Therefore, this shows that the art of self-defence, silat is a legacy that must be preserved for posterity by the Malays.
Mohamad described the organisation of this kind of tournament as very timely and has a great impact on martial exponents, especially the youth.
“We see many young people participating in the competition this time. I am confident that through a tournament like this, we can produce talented exponents, who can be nurtured to a higher level.
“It is not impossible, Saratok will produce exponents who can shine at the international level one day,” he said.
He stated that this competition was jointly organised by the Kalaka Constituency Service Centre, the 1828 PBB Youth Wing Movement Kalaka Branch, the Saratok District Office, the Gayong Sarawak Martial Arts Association (PSSGS) Saratok Branch and PSSGS Sarikei Branch.
