KUCHING: Silat masters continue to play a vital role in preserving cultural heritage and shaping community identity, serving as a key pillar in sustaining Malay martial arts in Sarawak and Malaysia.
Sarawak Malay National Association (PKMS) president Datuk Dr Wan Ali Tuanku Madhi said silat masters were not merely instructors of self-defence, but educators, mentors and guardians of cultural values and moral conduct.
“The knowledge imparted by silat masters does more than strengthen the physical body. It builds character, instills discipline, nurtures courage, respect for teachers, and upholds noble values,” he said in a report by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).
He was speaking at the Dinner with Silat Masters held in conjunction with the Festival Jabat Sejagat 2025 at Hotel Waterfront Kuching last night.
According to Wan Ali, the Festival Jabat Sejagat 2025 served as a unifying platform for various silat schools and traditions to showcase martial arts performances, exchange knowledge and strengthen bonds within the silat community.
He added that PKMS, established on Oct 10, 1939, is the oldest non-governmental organisation in Sarawak and has remained committed to upholding Islam, Malay customs, culture and heritage, including the art of silat.
As such, he said PKMS supported and encouraged the organisation of cultural programmes such as the Festival Jabat Sejagat to ensure that Malay silat heritage continued to be passed down to younger generations as a symbol of identity and cultural strength.
