Jabat Sejagat Festival 2025 Strengthens Unity In Nusantara Martial Arts
KUCHING: The Jabat Sejagat Festival 2025 has emerged as a vital platform for uniting various martial arts schools while reinforcing the values of brotherhood and cultural identity across Nusantara.
Acting Sarawak Secretary, Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, explained that the festival’s name carries deep significance whereby ‘Jabat’ symbolises meeting and a readiness for mutual understanding, while ‘Sejagat’ represents universal openness without borders.
Together, they make the festival a symbol of unity for different schools, ethnicities, and regions, rooted in the values of etiquette, respect, and universal humanity.
“The art of silat and the traditional martial arts showcased at this festival are more than just displays of physical movement or strength,” Dr Muhammad Abdullah stated during the opening ceremony at the Sarawak Sports Village (SSV) on Friday.
“They represent a treasury of knowledge that fosters discipline, character, wisdom, and a balance between the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. These are the values that have shaped our civilisation for generations, and they must be passed on to future youth.”
The festival brought together approximately 650 participants and officials from across Sarawak, alongside martial arts delegations from Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah added that within the context of modern development, silat should be viewed as an integral part of human and social development.
He highlighted its role in developing youth character and grassroots leadership, providing a healthy, culture-based outlet for physical activity, as well as aligning with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
He further explained that the event supports the Sarawak Government’s aspirations regarding human capital empowerment, cultural identity, and the growth of the creative economy and community-based tourism.
Beyond preserving intangible cultural heritage, the festival creates economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs, artists, vendors, and the hospitality sector.
The Acting Sarawak Secretary expressed his gratitude to the Sarawak Malay National Association (PKMS), Rumpun Silat Sarawak (RSS), and various strategic partners, government agencies, and volunteers for their dedication to the event’s success.
He expressed his hope that the Jabat Sejagat Festival would evolve into a prestigious annual event and a regional benchmark for dignifying the martial arts and cultural heritage of the Nusantara.
Also in attendance were PKMS President Dato’ Dr Wan Ali Tuanku Madhi, RSS Deputy President Dato’ Mohamad Yusnar Matalie, and Organising Chairman Mohamed Alli. - UKASnews
