Pencak Silat Discussion Board

Is Silat currently taught to any of the military forces in Indonesia, or Malaysia?

Yes. Since Indonesia gained independence from the Dutch there have been instances of the military receiving training in Pencak Silat or assistance from those versed in Pencak Silat. This makes sense since the indigenous combat arts of the regions should be expected to play a part in organizations that would naturally express a degree of "nationalism". Silat has been tied to political groups and political leaders where civilain militias and/or jawaras acted as supporters and body guards. These groups acted either in opposition or in consort with the official Indonesian Military. In some cases ,groups of jawara have acted as civilian armed auxillaries to the military.I believe that PPSBBI had personnel teach the military and especially the Kopassus ( Indonesian Special Forces) in Pencak Silat skills and methods. I think SMI ( Satria Muda Indonesia ) may have been training Kopassus and military academy cadets in the recent history of the military. Of course, the elite units as well as conventional military groups tend to be pragmatists. They will put a lot of emphasis on their modernized military skills over traditional, low tech/ "primative" skills ,since they need to be able to deal with opposing modern armed forces . Also ,I'm sure hand to hand and close quarters combat instructors are not adverse to adding information and skills from other methodologies if that material seems to increase their personnels' chances of survival in combat. I could be mistaken but that has been my understanding from things I have seen and read.

Doc