Using the compass points as a point of reference was totally alien to silat except to Pukul Pelaga. This does not stop many silat practitioners from various styles to claim that the Compass Points are an integral part of their respective system, because they have taken the concept as theirs. I have always said that there is nothing wrong in taking or copying from other people, but denying doing so is not the way of a warrior. It is even worse when they claim to be protecting the religion.
Mata Angin is a concept of direction. In 1976 several Cimande practitioners, including the instructor, lost to Pukul Pelaga because they had never met this concept. Before that they were quite proud, saying that they could beat Pukul Pelaga at any time of the day. They even said there were invicible defence positions. In a sparring match infront of the grandmaster who came all the way to Seremban from Banting, the instructor used one such defence position. Using Mata Angin I nullified his most likely move, and touched his sternum at the same time. It was after that night there were greater efforts by Cimande practitioners to prise away Pukul Pelaga's secrets.
Nowadays many silat practitioners use the same basic concept. Nevertheless from what I have seen so far they seem not to understand the full concept.
Friday, July 2, 2010
The Forward Roll
Pukul Pelaga's Forward Roll is radically different from traditional forward roll. The majority of silat practitioners use the Tiger Forward Roll, some use the slightly to the side version, while there are others who said that it was not necessary.
When Pukul Pelaga came out into the open, other silat practitioners laughed at us. They said that the technique which we used was dangerous. They said we could break our arm, or even worse our neck.
In reality none of my students ever received any injury. It is more practical. The proof?
Many silat practitioners are now using the same technique. As usual they claimed the technique has always been theirs. Even modern Kalaripayat also uses the same technique, introduced by its teacher in Penang.
One major difference with Pukul Pelaga's Forward Roll is that it is straight to the front, and uses the forearm instead of the hands.
When Pukul Pelaga came out into the open, other silat practitioners laughed at us. They said that the technique which we used was dangerous. They said we could break our arm, or even worse our neck.
In reality none of my students ever received any injury. It is more practical. The proof?
Many silat practitioners are now using the same technique. As usual they claimed the technique has always been theirs. Even modern Kalaripayat also uses the same technique, introduced by its teacher in Penang.
One major difference with Pukul Pelaga's Forward Roll is that it is straight to the front, and uses the forearm instead of the hands.
Friday, May 28, 2010
The importance of footwork
There are silat practitioners who claim that footwork is unimportant in order to defend oneself. The validity of this argument depends on several factors, and Pukul Pelaga has fighting styles which do not rely much on footwork. Nevertheless in general footwork is important partly because humans have two legs for moving around.
Due to the recognition of this fact a lot of stress is given to footwork in Pukul Pelaga. Many silat practitioners used to laugh at this, partly because they do not really understand the difference between footwork and pattern.
Another factor is the proper execution of many techniques depends a lot on proper footwork. This is why Pukul Pelaga has thousands of techniques. Granted that most of the techniques are not used but they can surprise the Opponent.
The importance of footwork has made many silat practitioners adopting the concept while claiming the new moves have always been part of their training.
Sets of footwork in Pukul Pelaga include
1) Lam Dalalah
2) Sembilan (nine)
3) Mata Angin (compass points)
4) Zig zag
5) Abjad
Patterns include
1) Empat Benda Hak (four prime directions)
2) Square
3) Triangle
The footwork set can easily be changed into different patterns.
Due to the recognition of this fact a lot of stress is given to footwork in Pukul Pelaga. Many silat practitioners used to laugh at this, partly because they do not really understand the difference between footwork and pattern.
Another factor is the proper execution of many techniques depends a lot on proper footwork. This is why Pukul Pelaga has thousands of techniques. Granted that most of the techniques are not used but they can surprise the Opponent.
The importance of footwork has made many silat practitioners adopting the concept while claiming the new moves have always been part of their training.
Sets of footwork in Pukul Pelaga include
1) Lam Dalalah
2) Sembilan (nine)
3) Mata Angin (compass points)
4) Zig zag
5) Abjad
Patterns include
1) Empat Benda Hak (four prime directions)
2) Square
3) Triangle
The footwork set can easily be changed into different patterns.
Demo at Nilai
About two weeks ago we were invited to perform a demonstration at one international college in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. It was to be part of Malaysian Culture festival. Our slot was on last Wednesday night which we duly attended.
The invitation was rather late, and I had to look around for members who would be free to participate. Praise to Allah a group was assembled, but two had to withdraw due to other more pressing commitment.
There were two silat groups on that night. We were the second to perform. Even though there were only five Pelaga our demo was slightly longer than the first group. We had more variety. I was the photgrapher. Unfortunately being in the backstage the angle was rather limited.
I would like to express my thanks to Mr. Chong who invited us. Presumably it was his own decision on picking us.
The invitation was rather late, and I had to look around for members who would be free to participate. Praise to Allah a group was assembled, but two had to withdraw due to other more pressing commitment.
There were two silat groups on that night. We were the second to perform. Even though there were only five Pelaga our demo was slightly longer than the first group. We had more variety. I was the photgrapher. Unfortunately being in the backstage the angle was rather limited.
I would like to express my thanks to Mr. Chong who invited us. Presumably it was his own decision on picking us.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
400 Corak Tempur - A partial list
The idea of Pukul Pelaga having many ways of defending and fighting has created several reactions from those not of Pukul Pelaga. The public exposure started in 1976, and a list of 40 ways or styles, with some explanation, was made public in 1995. A list of 88 wirh more details for each aspect was leaked by one of the traitors.
A partial list is given below. Most of the names used are reflective of each fight or combat pattern. As such there are names which are the same as existing silat schools. Others were not in existence 20 years ago.
001) Tempur Mawar
002) Tempur Harimau
003) Tempur Monyet
004) Tempur Naga
005) Tempur Buaya
006) Tempur Bangau
007) Tempur Kaki
008) Tempur Siku
009) Tempur Ular
010) Tempur Tangan
011) Tempur Langkah Sembilan
012) Tempur Mata Angin
013) Tempur Segi Tiga
014) Tempur Petak
015) Tempur Gerak Rencong
016) Tempur Helang
017) Tempur Pukulan Rencong
018) Tempur Sisip
019) Tempur Mentadak
020) Tempur Rancak
021) Tempur Sendeng
022) Tempur Gelek
023) Tempur Udang
024) Tempur Saraf
025) Tempur Pelangi
026) Tempur Taspak (Tangan)
027) Tempur Zigzag
028) Tempur Bulatan
029) Tempur Merpati
030) Tempur Fatih
031) Tempur Alunan
032) Tempur Kuncian
033) Tempur Humbanan
034) Tempur Jatuhan
035) Tempur Belut
036) Tempur Pepisau
037) Tempur Empat Benda Hak
038) Tempur Gerak Satu
039) Temput Gerak Tigasss
040) Tempur Nazam
041) Tempur Singa
042) Tempur Ayam
043) Tempur Beruang
044) Tempur Elak
045) Tempur Tangkap
046) Tempur Cekak
047) Tempur Libas
048) Tempur Abjad
049) Tempur Tunjang
050) Tempur Sangga Empat
051) Tempur Ikan
052) Tempur Petani
053) Tempur Cakar
054) Tempur Tari
055) Tempur Sepelet
056) Tempur Kekasih
057) Tempur Gerak Kilas
058) Tempue Rentap
059) Tempur Kelawar
060) Tempur Lawal
061) Tempur Lurus
062) Tempue Gerak Pintas
Each of the above style of fighting can stand on its own. It means that they can be formed into separate silat schools.
One of the questions asked was why the necessity? Pukul Pelaga is a system meant for everybody. Nevertheless we are not the same. We tend to choose something which we can relate to.
Due to the various fighting components, it is not easy to fight a Pelaga who learn and understand the concept behnd the existence of these parts, and how they can integrate or separate accordng to the situation.
A partial list is given below. Most of the names used are reflective of each fight or combat pattern. As such there are names which are the same as existing silat schools. Others were not in existence 20 years ago.
001) Tempur Mawar
002) Tempur Harimau
003) Tempur Monyet
004) Tempur Naga
005) Tempur Buaya
006) Tempur Bangau
007) Tempur Kaki
008) Tempur Siku
009) Tempur Ular
010) Tempur Tangan
011) Tempur Langkah Sembilan
012) Tempur Mata Angin
013) Tempur Segi Tiga
014) Tempur Petak
015) Tempur Gerak Rencong
016) Tempur Helang
017) Tempur Pukulan Rencong
018) Tempur Sisip
019) Tempur Mentadak
020) Tempur Rancak
021) Tempur Sendeng
022) Tempur Gelek
023) Tempur Udang
024) Tempur Saraf
025) Tempur Pelangi
026) Tempur Taspak (Tangan)
027) Tempur Zigzag
028) Tempur Bulatan
029) Tempur Merpati
030) Tempur Fatih
031) Tempur Alunan
032) Tempur Kuncian
033) Tempur Humbanan
034) Tempur Jatuhan
035) Tempur Belut
036) Tempur Pepisau
037) Tempur Empat Benda Hak
038) Tempur Gerak Satu
039) Temput Gerak Tigasss
040) Tempur Nazam
041) Tempur Singa
042) Tempur Ayam
043) Tempur Beruang
044) Tempur Elak
045) Tempur Tangkap
046) Tempur Cekak
047) Tempur Libas
048) Tempur Abjad
049) Tempur Tunjang
050) Tempur Sangga Empat
051) Tempur Ikan
052) Tempur Petani
053) Tempur Cakar
054) Tempur Tari
055) Tempur Sepelet
056) Tempur Kekasih
057) Tempur Gerak Kilas
058) Tempue Rentap
059) Tempur Kelawar
060) Tempur Lawal
061) Tempur Lurus
062) Tempue Gerak Pintas
Each of the above style of fighting can stand on its own. It means that they can be formed into separate silat schools.
One of the questions asked was why the necessity? Pukul Pelaga is a system meant for everybody. Nevertheless we are not the same. We tend to choose something which we can relate to.
Due to the various fighting components, it is not easy to fight a Pelaga who learn and understand the concept behnd the existence of these parts, and how they can integrate or separate accordng to the situation.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Dewan Perguruan
By now I would not be surprised if there are silat practitioners, especially those from certain organisations, who hate my guts. In fact I was threatened with physical violence if I do stop exposing certain things. Why should they do this if they are really sincere?
Several, and the actual number may be far greater, have questioned my knowledge and understanding in silat. A few even claimed that I am full of got air, and whatever I know about silat was copied from other silat styles.
I do not claim to be the greatest, but I have written several restricted circulation books on silat. After the books were displayed to the public, I was forced to become a member of Dewan Pendekar of PESAKA Negeri Sembilan. That was in 1997, when I was 38 years old. I say forced because I did not want to be a member of Dewan Pendekar. They kept on insisting until I relented.
Roughly translated Dewan Pendekar means Assembly of Warriors. Simce I was the youngest, several other head of silat organisations affiliated with PESAKA Negeri Sembilan wanted to become a member too. One even had the gall to sit together with members of Dewan Pendekar dur/ing meetings and other functions. He is older than I am, and his actions were tolerated. The point I am trying to put forward here is to be elected as a member of Dewan Pendekar a silat practitioner has to fulfill certain requirements. I am not sure what the requirements are but I was seen fit to be one.
Dewan Pendekar has been renamed Dewan Perguruan. I am noy sure how to translate this. The word perguruan is related to the system of learning and teaching. Out of twenty two affiliates, there are only five members of Dewan Perguruan, and I am the vice-chairman.
Several, and the actual number may be far greater, have questioned my knowledge and understanding in silat. A few even claimed that I am full of got air, and whatever I know about silat was copied from other silat styles.
I do not claim to be the greatest, but I have written several restricted circulation books on silat. After the books were displayed to the public, I was forced to become a member of Dewan Pendekar of PESAKA Negeri Sembilan. That was in 1997, when I was 38 years old. I say forced because I did not want to be a member of Dewan Pendekar. They kept on insisting until I relented.
Roughly translated Dewan Pendekar means Assembly of Warriors. Simce I was the youngest, several other head of silat organisations affiliated with PESAKA Negeri Sembilan wanted to become a member too. One even had the gall to sit together with members of Dewan Pendekar dur/ing meetings and other functions. He is older than I am, and his actions were tolerated. The point I am trying to put forward here is to be elected as a member of Dewan Pendekar a silat practitioner has to fulfill certain requirements. I am not sure what the requirements are but I was seen fit to be one.
Dewan Pendekar has been renamed Dewan Perguruan. I am noy sure how to translate this. The word perguruan is related to the system of learning and teaching. Out of twenty two affiliates, there are only five members of Dewan Perguruan, and I am the vice-chairman.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
We follow but we do noy copy?
On the 13th of March, 2010, a guru and leader of one silat organisation made a statement at the end of a general meeting. He said he studied other martial art systems to see what made the others good. After that he followed the methods, but he did not copy them.
I would like readers to reflect on his statement. The way I see it following the methods of other people means copying them. There is no other meaning.
I am not surprised at the statement. Their members have been claining that they still remain original to the original philosophy and principles. In reality they have been copying ('following') other systems, even to the extent of accepting and using techniques which were alien to them.
I would like readers to reflect on his statement. The way I see it following the methods of other people means copying them. There is no other meaning.
I am not surprised at the statement. Their members have been claining that they still remain original to the original philosophy and principles. In reality they have been copying ('following') other systems, even to the extent of accepting and using techniques which were alien to them.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Where is the sincerity?
Sincerity and honesty are two words which many silat practitioners claim to possess. Many of them become upsey or even angry when questioned about their honesty and sincerity. In my opinion adifferent view should be allowed to be aired. That is why I am writing about it here.
The main point that I want to touch is the changes that have been happening in many silat organisaations. I do not mean changes in leadership, but changes in their martial art philosophy, and the subsequent changes in the self defence techniques used.
One example is what is happening to ne well known silat organisation. Their style was based on the tiher and the eagle. After losing in many fights, though they never admitted it, the grandmaster allowed his students to mix their fighting system with other more practical and efficient techniques. There is nothing wrong with this, but they never admitted the fact that the techniques were taken or stolen from other styles.
The above silat organisation said they never stole the technques because if they did, then the victims would have lost the techniques. They also said they never copied from the others, because whatever is in silat belongs to their organisation. This claim was made in one of the latter issues of the now defunct Pendekar magazine.
Who are they trying to fool? They managed to convince many, but those well versed in Malaysian silat know the true story. They say they are true Muslims, yet they have no qualms about lying in order to maintain their status.
I hope one day Allah will show the truth.
The main point that I want to touch is the changes that have been happening in many silat organisaations. I do not mean changes in leadership, but changes in their martial art philosophy, and the subsequent changes in the self defence techniques used.
One example is what is happening to ne well known silat organisation. Their style was based on the tiher and the eagle. After losing in many fights, though they never admitted it, the grandmaster allowed his students to mix their fighting system with other more practical and efficient techniques. There is nothing wrong with this, but they never admitted the fact that the techniques were taken or stolen from other styles.
The above silat organisation said they never stole the technques because if they did, then the victims would have lost the techniques. They also said they never copied from the others, because whatever is in silat belongs to their organisation. This claim was made in one of the latter issues of the now defunct Pendekar magazine.
Who are they trying to fool? They managed to convince many, but those well versed in Malaysian silat know the true story. They say they are true Muslims, yet they have no qualms about lying in order to maintain their status.
I hope one day Allah will show the truth.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Traitors in the midst
Pukul Pelaga is a small group, yet there were traitors who had their ego to satisfy, and did not really care what the consequences of their actions would be. There were traitors who joined Pukul Pelaga to extract whatever they could. There were two traitors who exposed all the secrets of Pukul Pelaga to other silat organisations. In this posting I would like to write about these two traitors, since they were the ones who caused maximum damaged to Pukul Pelaga.
It was partly my fault, because I prefer trusting people unless it is known that they are unreliable. So was the case of the two traitors. In fact I was hoping that one of them would become one of my successors, at least in Seremban. As it turned out silat practitioners from another organisation used their mental immaturity to encourage them to give the secrets ofPukul Pelaga to them.
One of them has passed away. The other has been ignored those who pampered his ego after they have received the Tahap 1 book and other secrets.
Guru Rosli said it is my decision on what to do about this matter. His words were witnessed by two other Pelaga. My decision was to still use the traitor mark on them, and disdown them as students. This was because the damage done by them is extremely difficult to repair.
By the way the second traitor is teaching silat and claimed it to be Pukul Pelaga, and claimed that he had the blessings of Guru Rosli. What he is teaching is far from what it should be.
It was partly my fault, because I prefer trusting people unless it is known that they are unreliable. So was the case of the two traitors. In fact I was hoping that one of them would become one of my successors, at least in Seremban. As it turned out silat practitioners from another organisation used their mental immaturity to encourage them to give the secrets ofPukul Pelaga to them.
One of them has passed away. The other has been ignored those who pampered his ego after they have received the Tahap 1 book and other secrets.
Guru Rosli said it is my decision on what to do about this matter. His words were witnessed by two other Pelaga. My decision was to still use the traitor mark on them, and disdown them as students. This was because the damage done by them is extremely difficult to repair.
By the way the second traitor is teaching silat and claimed it to be Pukul Pelaga, and claimed that he had the blessings of Guru Rosli. What he is teaching is far from what it should be.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Pelaga Pretenders
According to many silat practitioners Pukul Pelaga has no value in martial arts. Apart from the fact that many Pukul Pelaga's techniques have been copied, consider another fact, that is the existence of people claiming to be qualified as a guru in Pukul Pelaga.
CASE 1
There ist one person who claims that he is teaching Pukul Pelaga. The point is this guy has never learned Pukul Pelaga either formally or informally from someone knowledgeable in Pukul Pelaga. This guy learned two other silat styles which had different fighting philosophy or concept in martal arts. Before that he did come to see me, and one of his nephews became my student for around 6 months. If Pukul Pelaga is worthless like some people claim, why would someone wants to use the name?
CASE 2
There were two ex students of mine who felt that they were, and still are, better than I in matters pertaining to Pukul Pelaga. They even claimed that my guru disowned me, and gave them permission to teach Pukul Pelaga in Negeri Sembilan or anywhere else they like. What they taught was not the way my guru taught me. Yet they had the courage to tell others that I was not recognised as a guru by my guru.
The event that led to this guy's delusion started after I brought him to see my guru. At that time his ego was already inflated. At Kuala Pahang there was something that my guru wanted to dscuss with me. He turned to this guy and said, "You should not be here becase rhis is a matter between guru and guru." This guy stayed about 6 metres away.
Back home he went to see the other guy and twisted the words by saying that my guru recognised him as a guru, and not me. After that they went all out to discredit me. They opened their own training centre, and claimed that theirs was the real thing. The fact is other silat practitioners do not agree with this.
CASE 1
There ist one person who claims that he is teaching Pukul Pelaga. The point is this guy has never learned Pukul Pelaga either formally or informally from someone knowledgeable in Pukul Pelaga. This guy learned two other silat styles which had different fighting philosophy or concept in martal arts. Before that he did come to see me, and one of his nephews became my student for around 6 months. If Pukul Pelaga is worthless like some people claim, why would someone wants to use the name?
CASE 2
There were two ex students of mine who felt that they were, and still are, better than I in matters pertaining to Pukul Pelaga. They even claimed that my guru disowned me, and gave them permission to teach Pukul Pelaga in Negeri Sembilan or anywhere else they like. What they taught was not the way my guru taught me. Yet they had the courage to tell others that I was not recognised as a guru by my guru.
The event that led to this guy's delusion started after I brought him to see my guru. At that time his ego was already inflated. At Kuala Pahang there was something that my guru wanted to dscuss with me. He turned to this guy and said, "You should not be here becase rhis is a matter between guru and guru." This guy stayed about 6 metres away.
Back home he went to see the other guy and twisted the words by saying that my guru recognised him as a guru, and not me. After that they went all out to discredit me. They opened their own training centre, and claimed that theirs was the real thing. The fact is other silat practitioners do not agree with this.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Stolen books - An Indirect Admission?
In late January 2010, one of my students, referred to as Pin, met the founder of one of the latest silat school, who shall be identified her as SF He was on stand by duty, and had coffee with one of his friends when SF joined him. His friend is also a friend of SF.
Out of the blue SF told Pin that one of the books that I wrote had fallen into the hands of other silat practitioners. He said that I asked him to look for Mee (not his full name), and ask him to return the book.
Pin suspected that SF had a copy of the book, given by Mee to another silat organisation. His suspicion was based on the way SF talked. SF was on his way home from silat training, and his trousers were dirty around the knees. Years ago it was only Pelaga practitioners who had to do training with the knees on the ground. In addition to that Pin knew I never asked anyone to look for Mee. Mee bought a copy, and I gave it to him because he was my student, and with the promise of not showing it to other silat practitioners. So there was no question of asking for its return.
When Pin asked further SF changed the topic to football. It made him wonder, and so do I.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)