KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, officiated the Rumpun Silat Sarawak (RSS) Kuching Division Silat Arts Festival held at the Kampung Tunku Phase 2 Community Hall here today.
In his address, he commended the organisation of the festival as an effort to strengthen ties among silat practitioners while providing a platform to evaluate the quality of emerging talents.
“This event also serves to promote silat to the public. Without such efforts, our cultural heritage may fade away over time,” he said.
He also congratulated RSS on the outstanding achievements of its athletes during the recent Malaysia Games (SUKMA) hosted in Sarawak.
Additionally, Ripin said that silat not only elevates Malay cultural heritage but is also vital in educating children to respect their elders and in nurturing leadership qualities.
At the event, Ripin announced a RM10,000 contribution to RSS Kuching Division to organise more silat development programmes in Sarawak, particularly in Kuching.
Also present were RSS Kuching Division’s Chairman, Abdul Taib Yusup, and Rumpun Silat Sarawak’s Vice-President II, Mohamad Ali Zainuddin.
