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    29 April 2012| last updated at 09:53PM

    DPM welcomes Pesaka's intention as a defence frontline

    By Yiswaree Palansamy

    3 comments

    Kuala Lumpur: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin welcomed the intention of the National Silat Federation (Pesaka) to be installed as one of the country’s defence frontline.

    Muhyiddin said the idea was well received to further enhance the security measures of the country to combat subversive elements from threatening its solidarity.

    “The silat plays an important role in the Malay culture and the local warriors of the yesteryears or pendekars had practiced it to defend the country in times of adversity.” Thus, Muhyiddin said silat needs to be further popularised to spread the importance of the heritage.

    “I hope that Pesaka would continue to organise more activities which appeal to the younger generation while promoting the art,” he said in his speech at the closing of the 16th National Silat Championship, at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium in Cheras, near here.

    Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said he saw silat as an art which stressed on high discipline and mental strength.

    “I believe that silat can be used to shape positive values and building characteristics among the youths. “It allows for positive values to be instilled into our younger ones and can help to prevent them from getting involved in misdeeds of sorts in this fast paced and borderless day and age.”

    Muhyiddin also urged the various silat associations, in the country, to defend the Malay values and culture as well as uphold Islamic teachings in the course. He also announced RM 150,000 allocation in addition to RM 238,000 which would be channeled to Pesaka to help its efforts to promote silat.

    “It is my hope that silat, which is a valuable heritage, can be put to good use to defend our country as well.”

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