The Compass Points

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.