Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin (third from right) witnessing the award presentation by Malaysia Book of Records representative Siti Hajar Johor (second from right) to Mohamad Zahri. With them are (from left) Aznan, Emma Idzura and Dr Siti Rohana. — Photos: KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
A session on self-defence titled “Women’s Awareness and Personal Safety Workshop” in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, drew royal attendance and set a new national record in participation numbers.
The event organised by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) in collaboration with Aikido Shudokan Malaysia was graced by Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.
It drew recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR), for “Most Female Participants in an Aikido Shudokan Workshop”, with 1,044 women taking part.
Also present at the event held at PJ Civic Hall were Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon, deputy mayor Aznan Hassan, Aikido Shudokan Malaysia manager Emma Idzura Ramli and MBPJ National Association of Wives of Civil Servants and Women Civil Servants (Puspanita)-Iris chairman Dr Siti Rohana Saat.
“This workshop is not about attacking, but about preparing ourselves to face unexpected situations,” Mohamad Zahri said in his speech.
The workshop, designed especially for women, provided exposure to basic self-defence techniques rooted in aikido.
The Japanese martial art is known for its emphasis on harmony, balance and using an opponent’s energy, rather than brute force.
For many participants, the presence of Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin added significance to the programme, symbolising royal support for women’s empowerment.
The milestone came right on the heels of MBPJ securing the record for “Most Enforcement Officer Participants in an Aikido Shudokan Workshop”, with 1,486 officers taking part during the session titled “Restraint and Removal – Aikido Concept”.
“The aikido workshops are part of MBPJ’s 24 activities lined up for National Month,” said Mohamad Zahri.
“We welcome partnerships with martial arts organisations, including silat and karate groups, to host similar awareness initiatives in the future.”
Aikido instructors demonstrating self-defence techniques during the ‘Women’s Awareness and Personal Safety Workshop’ organised by MBPJ in collaboration with Aikido Shudokan Malaysia.
Mohamad Zahri said MBPJ planned to expand the aikido training programme among its enforcement officers and was exploring partnerships with the Selangor palace to involve royal bodyguards.
The workshop for women was one of the highlights of a three-day International Aikido Shudokan Training Camp 2025.
The camp brought together 150 participants from 18 countries including Japan, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Canada and the US, making it one of the largest global gatherings for practitioners of the Yoshinkan School of Aikido.
Malaysia and Singapore chief Aikido Shudokan trainer Ramlan Ortega was awarded a certificate of his 7th dan belt promotion during the camp, marking nearly three decades of dedication to the martial art.
(In aikido, dan refers to the formal ranking system for practitioners, representing increasing levels of skill, understanding and experience, and is indicated by a black belt.)
Ramlan, 57, who has been recognised as a shihan or “teacher of teachers”, described the workshops as both a milestone and a mission.
“My hope is to put Malaysia on the map of the aikido world,” he said.
“We cannot teach complete self-defence in a few hours.
“But if we can build awareness and self-confidence, especially among women and enforcement officers, that is already a victory.
“This exposure also allows international instructors to see Malaysia as a centre for aikido training.”
