IPSI states majority of members want Prabowo to return as general chairman

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Executive Board of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (PB IPSI) states that the majority of federation members still desire Prabowo Subianto to return as General Chairman of PB IPSI for the 2026-2030 period.

“Yes, from what I see, the majority (of members) still want him (Prabowo Subianto to lead PB IPSI again), but we must understand his busyness as RI 1,” said PB IPSI Deputy General Secretary H.R. Bayu Syahjohan to the media during the XVI National Conference (Munas) of PB IPSI in Jakarta on Friday.

Syahjohan, who also serves as Chairman of the Munas Screening and Selection Team of PB IPSI, explained that several names have emerged in the screening process who have nominated themselves as candidates for general chairman.

Nevertheless, he did not mention the names of those who have nominated themselves as candidates for general chairman, only confirming that the number of registrants is more than one person.

Syahjohan stated that although there are several names registered, the majority of provincial boards and major dojos still desire Prabowo Subianto to return to the position of general chairman.

However, he continued, Prabowo’s willingness to return as general chairman will only be known through the Munas forum taking place on Saturday (11/4).

“We don’t know yet, of course at the time he will announce whether he is still willing or not,” he said.

Prabowo Subianto has led PB IPSI for five periods since 2004 until 2025. In addition to his national position, he has also served as President of the World Pencak Silat Federation (Persilat) since 2010 and was re-elected at the 2022 Congress.

This long track record is one of the strong reasons why many parties still want his figure to guide the vision of pencak silat towards the Olympic stage.