KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called for a continuous effort to strengthen silat activities, saying the Malay martial art is capable of being a bulwark in defending the nation’s sovereignty and security.

He added that silat has an important role in the life and culture of the Malays not only in moulding their character but in the past, it had also been used by Malay warriors to defend their motherland.

“Silat, as a cultural heritage of the Malays, should continue to be promoted through various activities, combining the efforts of silat associations as well as members of the various silat disciplines,” he said at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium, here yesterday.

Muhyiddin also hailed the initiatives taken by the Malaysian National Silat Federation (Pesaka) in promoting the martial art.

He expressed the hope for such initiatives to be further intensified to ensure silat would continue to have a strong place in the society particularly among the young people.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin also spoke about the gathering organised by an opposition-supported organisation on Saturday. He said the gathering was an effort by the opposition to poison the minds of the people ahead of the coming general election.

“We know what they are up to,” he said.

Muhyiddin also announced an allocation of RM150,000 to help Pesaka organise silat-related activities. On Pesaka’s request that a silat hall be set up in Kuala Lumpur, Muhyiddin said he would discuss the matter with their representatives. — Bernama

Sourced from: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/04/30/dpm-calls-for-continuous-effort-to-promote-silat/