Silat Activities in Educational Institutions To Be Coordinated Under Pendekar MADANI Initiative

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- The government will empower silat activities in the country through coordination at the school, polytechnic, higher education institutions (IPTs) and Institutes of Teacher Education (IPGs) levels under the Pendekar MADANI (MADANI Warrior) initiative.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the coordination was vital to form the basis of unity, discipline and identity among the younger generation, in line with the values ​​of MADANI, which are the pillars of national administration.

As such, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, approved an allocation of RM2 million this year for the Pendekar MADANI initiative to coordinate the activities of all silat organisations nationwide.

"Self-defence martial arts is not for boasting or not for arrogance, not for pride, but to train our children, and we will ensure that all schools support the spirit of Pendekar MADANI, followed by polytechnics, IPGs and IPTs.

"We will ignite this activity to unite the spirit of our youngsters with the sole aim of upholding the dignity, honour and status of this nation,” he said in his speech at the Himpunan Pendekar MADANI at Politeknik Seberang Perai here today.

Also present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Bakar, together with over 10,000 silat exponents from all over the country.

Anwar explained that all silat organisations are free to continue with their training and heritage, though this needs to be unified through one coordinating platform under the Pendekar MADANI initiative for the collective strength of the nation.

As such, he hopes that the Ministry of Education (MOE) can coordinate the effort with the help of silat associations nationwide.

He added that Pendekar MADANI is also an effort by the government to re-empower the heritage of silat and Malay martial arts with values of discipline, fighting spirit and noble morals.

At the event, Anwar was also installed as the  Imam Khalifah Agong “Sri Tri Buana Simanjakini Gangga Chula Sakti” by Datuk Dr Raja Abdul Majid Raja Mat Isa, who represented Pertubuhan Seni Silat Pusaka Gayong Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA