KUCHING: Martial arts, which form an integral part of the cultural heritage of civilisations around the world, must continue to be preserved and revitalised to ensure they are not lost amid the tides of modern change.

Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that martial arts exist in almost every corner of the world, with every society having at least one form of martial art of its own.

“In the past, martial arts were a body of knowledge that everyone was expected to learn, regardless of whether they were men or women.

“The situation then was very different from today, as our safety is now safeguarded by the police, the military and other security agencies.

“As such, martial arts may, to some extent, fade away with time if they are not actively sustained,” he said in his speech at the closing ceremony of the Jabat Sejagat Festival 2025, held at the Sarawak Sports Village (SSV) here on Sunday.

Dato Sri Abdul Karim stressed the importance of continuous support from all parties, including ministries, government agencies and the private sector, to ensure that the heritage of martial arts remains strong and relevant.

At the same time, he, who also serves as Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, described the active participation of youths in the Jabat Sejagat Festival 2025 as a positive sign of success in efforts to cultivate interest among the younger generation in martial arts heritage.

He explained that continued support would be extended to the organisation of such tournaments, involving not only silat but also other martial arts, to foster closer ties among practitioners at both local and international levels.

He further hinted that the 'Jabat Sejagat' festival would be expanded in future editions, with a larger allocation and the possibility of being held at a more spacious venue to allow more members of the public the opportunity to witness it.

Also present at the event were Permanent Secretary of the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datu Sherrina Hussaini and President of the Sarawak Malay National Association (PKMS) Dato’ Dr Wan Ali Tuanku Madhi. - UKASnews

Reporter: Nur Nabilla
Translator: Uilson Ng
Photographer: Shairazi