Silat in Malaysia (Pt. 1)

As there are tonnes of football clubs in England (from Man United to Kettering Town), there are also hundreds of Silat styles in Malaysia. Similar to the BPL, the Silat community in Malaysia would also have its own Big Four. These four are the Pertubuhan Seni Silat Gayong Malaysia (PSSGM), Pertubuhan Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia (PSSLM), Pertubuhan Seni Gayung Fatani Malaysia(PSGFM) and Pertubuhan Seni Silat Cekak Malaysia(PSSCM). These four groups commands the lion's share of penetration in teaching at primary, secondary and tertiary institues of education.
In addition to the Big Four, we also have a lot of Evertons and Aston Villas of Silat like Pertubuhan Silat Kegayongan (Acheh) Helang Putih (PSK(A)HP), Istiadat Pewaris Penjurit-Kepetangan Melayu (IPPM), Persatuan Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi Malaysia (PSSKTM) and Pertubuhan Seni Silat Sendeng Malaysia (PSSSM).

Let's begin with Gayong Malaysia. This is probably the most famous Silat style in Malaysia. Whenever a person unfamiliar with Silat knows I learn Silat, he will ask whether I learn Gayong. Ermm...there are hundreds of Silat styles in Malaysia alone, people.

Well, luckily since the Silat documentary disaster (read as Human Weapon), these people have expanded their vocabularies. Now their question is more like

'You learn Gayong, Harimau, Lok 9 or Lian Padukan?'

Well, at least that's still an improvement.

PSSGM has a long and proud history. It is the first martial arts association to be registered in Malaysia. It was founded by the legendary Dato' Meor Abdul Rahman (pic). The art covers unarmed combat as well as use of traditional Malay weapons.

The syllabus roughly comprises:

1. Tapak Gayong (foundation, teaches fighting stances, basic blocks and parries)
2. Seni Tapak Gayong (advanced form of the foundation)
3. Seni Keris (techniques using small weapons i.e. knife and keris (traditional Malay dagger)
4. Seni Simbat (techniques using long weapons i.e. spear, staff, machete)
5. Seni Yoi (employs trickery and craft, advanced fighting techniques and tips)
6. Seni Cindai (technique using a woman's headscarf, belt, etc.)
7. Seni Belian (spiritual)

Majid Mat Isa demonstrating a Cindai technique

Even though PSSGM is larger and more established, the individual Masters in the sister organization, Pertubuhan Seni Silat Pusaka Gayong Malaysia (PSSPGM) are more famous. PSSPGM has more household names like Majid Mat Isa and Awang Daud as compared to PSSGM.
For more information on the art, go to the Gayong portal.

Awang Daud

Crap...am getting dizzy with all these acronyms.

Picture Credits
Pusaka Gayong
Persatuan Seni Silat Pusaka Gayong Malaysia UM
Promninence world of Penjurit-Kepetangan

Silat vs. Hapkido

Picture Credits

Wikipedia
Penjuritan

"I have not failed 700 times, I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work"
~ Thomas Edison

Seni Silat Setiabakti

One of the Silat styles I am currently learning is Seni Silat Setiabakti. It is not as well known and famous compared to the other Silat styles around but this does not make it any less majestic or any less effective than others.
Seni Silat Setiabakti was founded by Guru Dahlan Karim. Guru Dahlan Karim studied more than ten styles of Malay Silat and the Setiabakti style comprises elements derived from these styles. Seni Silat Setiabakti teaches the three forms of Silat: self-defense, art and competitive Silat. Its motto is Ringkas, Mudah dan Berkesan (quick, simple and effective). This reflects the syllabus of Setiabakti as the combination of moves tends to be short and is aimed at inflicting a high degree of pain required to incapacitate/disable an attacker.

The Pukulan Buah Melaka and Tongkat techniques in Setiabakti are the techniques which distinguish Silat Setiabakti from its peers. Pukulan Buah Melaka is a series of hand-to-hand combat techniques used for attack and defence which are highly effective and overwhelmingly unpredictable from an assailant's perspective. The Tongkat technique comprises of attack and defence combinations using a stick of around 1 metre long. It can be used against armed and unarmed assailants.
The meaning behind the name Setiabakti is derived from Setia (loyal) and Bakti (loyal devotion/dedication). Setia implies loyalty to oneself, family, community, religion and homeland while Bakti implies dedication of oneself to his family, community, religion and homeland. The keris in the logo reflects that this style of Silat is one of the Malay Silat styles. The two circles represent a shield which symbolizes self-defense. The logo is in white to reflect goodness.
Seni Silat Setiabakti stands out as one very effective Silat style. I would recommend it for anyone wishing to learn Silat or anyone who just wants to learn self-defence.

(L-R: Amir, Jimin, Abg Lan, Guru Dahlan Karim)

Kemensah Camping Trip, 26th July

Went camping with the silat group members (Sunway) to Kemensah. The participants comprised me, Abg Lan, Jimin, Ang, Eddy, Tahir, Aral and a few juniors whom I am not so familiar with.
Unknown to many KL-ites, there is a great camping spot near the heart of the city centre. One only has to drive a few kilometres beyond Zoo Negara to reach Kemensah. There are a few camps/chalets along the road which attract families looking for a nice weekend out but for campers and hikers, I would suggest that they venture deeper. 45 minutes walk from Institut Budaya Melayu Selangor (at the end of Jln Taman Zooview) , one can find a waterfall and a great camping spot.

We set off from Sunway at around 11.30 am in two cars. Another car was to arrive later that evening. I was expected to lead the group but it's been two years since I last went to Kemensah so it became a case of the blind leading the blind. We arrived at Institut Budaya Melayu Selangor at 1 pm. From this point, we had to walk for 45 minutes. I asked the security guards manning the booth there for directions to the waterfall. Each one gave me a different set of instructions so I decided to to use the directions given by the most senior among the two guards. Luckily, the guy was right.

Leeches are part of the package when it comes to camping in tropical wet areas and since it was raining a few hours before, you can see tonnes of them along the way. Aaah, nevermind, I'd already gotten used to them. Plus, I brought a lighter and a bottle of multipurpose liquid to get rid of them. Easiest thing to do is to just ask the guy walking behind to keep an eye out for you or you can just spread the end of your pants into your socks. We reached the campsite and set up tents and small fire. Then, we all went mandi sungai/air terjun.........Woohoo.

At night, we barbequed burger and sausages, cooked Maggi and drank Rooibos Tea + Coke. Funny that in normal situations, people won't even look at Maggi but in the wilderness, people will surround you like vultures around a carcass, just waiting to munch on your bowl of Maggi.



The next morning, Jimin conducted silat training teaching them blocking drills and stick combat fundamentals while I practised knife throwing with Abg Lan (a lot of trees around for target practice). After that, we all mandi sungai again then packed up and went back. Hmmm, Kemensah Waterfall....I'd definitely recommend the place for anyone looking for an outdoor adventure and unwilling to go out of Selangor/KL.