Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim calls for preserving silat as a cultural identity amid national progress in AI and digital development.
SUNGAI PETANI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for the traditional martial art of silat to be strengthened and not forgotten amid rapid national development.
He said silat must continue to be preserved as a cultural heritage and a symbol of national identity even as the country advances in fields like artificial intelligence and digital technology.
“We want this country to remain rooted to the ground, for the Malays not to lose their identity,” Anwar said at the closing ceremony of the Northern Zone Gema Pendekar MADANI Gathering, last night.
He stated that every school, village and suburban area should have a silat group to nurture spirit and discipline.
However, he emphasised that silat practitioners must uphold good morals and adhere firmly to the Islamic faith.
Anwar added they must also accept the reality that Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious country.
“When we remain rooted to the ground, we will not lose our Malay culture, we will not forget our identity and the history of our people,” he said.
The event also included the Pendekar Utama Negara Dato’ Dr Raja Abdul Majid Cup Open Silat Championships.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari were also present at the ceremony
