Military forms of silat?

[Crucible]

I believe that there are forms of silat used by the Indonesian and Malaysian goverments for thier military. Is any one familiar with what they are and what thier training consists of?

[brett1117]

I don't know if it still used currently, but at one time General (ret.) Anak Marhaen Hanafi taught Harimau to some elite troops in Indonesia. You can read about it at http://www.btinternet.com/~harimau/hanafi_family.htm

[Straight Path]

I had a chance to meet with some members of a highly decorated Police/Military unit in Malaysia called VAT-69 (Very Able Troops - formed in 1969). These men are outstanding military operators - very fit and very tough. I asked about Silat in their unit. They told me that many members practiced their own family systems or externally learned systems of Silat, but that the Malaysian military has not and will not officially select and teach a form of "military Silat". The reason given is that many members of the Malaysian MoD (Ministry of Defence) are of Chinese or Indian origin, and that Silat is widely held as a Malay-only form of self-defense. VAT-69 does have an official martial arts system - it is a form of Korean martial arts! It can be widely taught to all members of all races without offending anybody.

I have a friend who trained in the Indonesian system of Merpati Putih (White Dove) in Jakarta and he told me that it was widely practiced within the Indonesian commando units and VIP security details. That amazes me, since Merpati Putih is about as "soft" a system of Silat as you can find!

[Garuda]

I also heard that the Indonesian Kopassus (Indonesian Commando's) train Merpati Putih.

About Straight Path's amazement: I think that in the Western world the general believe is that if a style is hard then it is regarded as very effective for self-defense. However it is my opinion that one should let go this relation between hard/soft and effectiveness. A soft style can even be more effective then a hard style. A good way to explain this is to see the term "hard" as a rock. A rock will not evade and remains where it is, solid and strong as always and will withstand everything. The term "soft" can be explained as water, water flows and goes around everything, but nonetheless water can not be stopped and when unleashed it can break the hardest rock.

Furthermore I think that the Kopassus train MP mainly because of the Tenaga Dalam that is very strongly present in MP, which is very useful for them.

Garuda...

[bayu segara]

yes your are right garuda. I watched on television how Kopassus members demonstrate silat Merpati Putih to break 5 block ice and also shooting a target without see. For break the ice, they used 'tenaga dalam' and for shooting without see they use 'ilmu getaran' (vibration). That's why I joined to silat Merpati Putih because not only the self defence technique I got but also tenaga dalam and getaran.

[bela diri]

Hi Brett

That link is old try www.de-bordesfoundation.com The hanafi family has been and still is involved with the military & close quarter protection of goverment officals with in Indonesia, but its not the only system used.

Regards
Bela Diri

[rizal]

Indonesia military is unique since every unit has its own curriculum regarding martial arts. You can find units that train in Merpati Putih, Sin Lam Ba, Tarung Drajat, even the most obscure techniques like units in Sumatra who train Sumatran silats.

[doc_jude]

Try looking up Pukulan Kemajoran (sp?) I heard that it was a "militarized" fighting style.

[Sgt_Major]

Holy thread revival Batman :p

[Monyet Nakal]

Holy thread revival Batman :p

Hehe, yeah. Doc Jude is on a roll...

[doc_jude]

Hehe, yeah. Doc Jude is on a roll...
Sorry, just got back. :D