INSPIRED by the current box-office hit Mat Kilau – Kebangkitan Pahlawan, more parents in Jempol, Negri Sembilan, are enrolling their children in silat classes.

Jempol Silat Gayong Malaysia Association vice-president Ahmad Shafiq Zulkifli said more than 40 new students had signed up for martial arts lessons, Berita Harian reported.He described the response as “extraordinary” as the association would only receive four or five new students a year. Malaysian warrior: Adi Putra stars as Mat Kilau in the movie directed by Syamsul Yusof.

“Previously, silat did not receive much attention as some were under the impression that it is just a village art of self-defence, but the film has changed that perception,” said the trainer.

He added that he expects the number to grow after the association’s enrolment programme.

Ahmad Shafiq said given the impact of the local hit movie, it will not be surprising to see parents sending their children as young as five years old to learn the art.

He added that there are also adults aged 50 interested in taking up silat.

Mat Kilau, starring Datuk Adi Putra, Beto Kusyairy, Fattah Amin, Johan As’ari and Yayan Ruhan, has grossed over RM20mil at the box office so far.

> Shuib Sepahtu says he needs space to lead a peaceful life after the loss of his wife, singer Siti Sarah Raissuddin.

“It has been 10 months since Sarah left me and the children. It is an unusual feeling. Sometimes I don’t know how to articulate it.

“There hasn’t been a day when I do not think of Sarah. It is difficult to carry on with life and that is already pressure on me,” the 37-year-old comedian-entrepreneur told Kosmo!.

“I thank those who care for me but sometimes when it comes to talk of a partner, love or befriending someone, I feel pressured.

“Why not pray for the best for me and my children? Insya-Allah, your prayers will be returned. I want everyone to be happy and continue to pray for the best and not focus on matchmaking,” he added.

Shuib, whose real name is Shahmira Muhamad, also said he does not want his children to be affected by comments on social media.

Siti Sarah passed away aged 36 on Aug 9 last year from Covid-19 shortly after giving birth to their fourth child, a boy.

● The above article is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with this ' >'sign, it denotes a separate news item.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/07/02/mat-kilau-movie-sparks-silat-revival