Prabowo's story of pursuing silat from a young age, reveals lingering scars

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto recounted his involvement in the world of pencak silat from a young age, including experiences in martial arts training that left scars on his body. “Then matah-matah, I used to be able to do matah-matah back then. There are still some scar marks,” said Prabowo in his speech at the opening of the 16th National Conference (Munas) of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (PB IPSI) 2026 at JCC Senayan, Jakarta, on Saturday. In his speech, Prabowo described his family’s background, which was closely tied to pencak silat. His grandfather was one of the enthusiasts and founders of the Setia Hati silat school in Madiun, East Java, before Indonesia’s independence. Additionally, his parents also served as coaches in the Executive Board of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (PB IPSI) for a considerable period. His interest in martial arts continued when Prabowo attended military academy. This experience extended when he undertook his first service in the Indonesian Army’s Special Forces Command (Kopassus). During that time, soldiers were required to learn pencak silat, including the Merpati Putih style guided by Major General TNI Mung Parhadimulyo. “So we all had to learn Merpati Putih,” he said. Furthermore, Prabowo views pencak silat as part of the calling as a child of the nation, as well as a cultural heritage that must be preserved, maintained, and nurtured because it is part of martial arts knowledge and Indonesian culture. “Why must we safeguard pencak silat, preserve pencak silat, nurture pencak silat, because pencak silat is part of our culture, and pencak silat is part of the knightly knowledge, martial arts knowledge,” he stated. The President also stressed the importance of safeguarding and respecting one’s own culture as a mark of a great nation, including honouring ancestors and the values passed down through pencak silat. Besides being a sport and martial art, Prabowo said pencak silat contains values of politeness, humility, and courage to defend truth, justice, and the weak. Prabowo also appreciated the role of IPSI and all silat schools in safeguarding and developing pencak silat as a national cultural pride. “So IPSI is one of the very important pillars. I thank you, I am proud. For years, you have continued to support me. Together we have maintained our cultural pride,” he said. On that occasion, the President also conveyed that he would not return to serve as General Chairman of PB IPSI. However, Prabowo stated his support for the new leadership that will continue the organisation’s programmes, including efforts to bring pencak silat to the Olympics.