A silat performance during Festival Pentas Pendekar Johor at the B5 Johor Street Market.
THERE has been an overwhelming increase in public interest to learn the traditional martial art of silat following the release of the movie Mat Kilau.
Johor Pencak Silat Association president Md Yusshalman Md Yusof said there were at least 15,000 students of silat in the state.
“The movie has had a huge impact on silat and boosted its popularity among the masses.
“Just weeks after Mat Kilau came out in June, we received dozens of registrations from parents who wanted their children to learn silat.
“I also have adults who are keen to learn this martial art after watching the movie,” he said, adding that the students range in age from five to 80 years.
Md Yusshalman shared this with StarMetro after the closing ceremony of the “Festival Pentas Pendekar Johor” at the B5 Johor Street Market in Pusat Bandar Tampoi, Johor Baru.
The festival was opened by State Secretary Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani.
Md Yusshalman hopes interest in silat would continue to grow, especially among youngsters, regardless of race.
“I hope to see more young people take up traditional martial arts such as silat.
“Not only will they learn how to defend themselves, it will also help them to be more disciplined and mentally tough,” he said.
Md Yusshalman said at least 3,000 people from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia took part in the three-day festival.
“The last time we held such an event was in 2018.
“There was a lot of excitement as people had been waiting for it for so long.
“Festival Pentas Pendekar Johor gives practitioners of silat a rare opportunity to meet and share our experiences,” he said.
“Competitions, workshops and performances were held during the festival this year,” said Md Yusshalman.
He said there were several booths selling traditional Malay herbs and food during the event.
“This also benefits local traders who enjoy better sales from participants and visitors,” he said.
Among those taking part in the festival programmes was Ibnu Abdillah, 17, from Indonesia who has been learning silat since he was seven.
“I last came to Johor in 2018 when I took part in a silat competition.
“Apart from improving my skills, I also get to make new friends from Malaysia and Singapore,” said Ibnu.
Another participant, Carlina Cynthia Kanyong, 14, from Johor, said this was the first silat competition she had taken part in since she started learning the martial art about four years ago.
“Although I did not win, my experience here has been amazing,” she said.
