HAJI HUSSAIN BIN KASLAN
MASTER AND PATRIACH

BRIEF HISTORY

May peace be upon you.

1950 is the beginning and shock for me when the Natrah riots broke out, for it gave me motivation and the realization of how important self-defense is to a person seeking to preserve his life and to follow what is right. I told a nephew by the name of Akiak about my interest in studying a Silat style that is rich in history, proprieties, and proper discipline. I was taken to a Silat Seni Gayong training area to be interviewed.

After being asked a few questions, I was explained that Gayong has no restrictions other than to follow what is right and to follow the laws of the country. I was given 2 weeks to think it over and to confirm if I wanted to learn this art.

We need 7 people to start a class. After getting another 6 guys, I went through the 'Perlimau Tapak' ceremony together with other friends and thus began my journey in the art of Silat Seni Gayong on that very same day.

At that time, there are several training centres, which is: Balestier,Kampong Saigon (River Valley area),and Maxwell Road Custom Quarters.

After 2 years, more training centres are opened. I was appointed as instructor for the training centre at Victoria School. I was later appointed as instructor at Jalan Besar with Mr Hj Buang Bahar. My Grandmaster (Meor Abdul Rahman) at the time assembled some 16 of us to do silat performance in various locations around the island. My specialty is in knife fighting. Others in the team included Hj Fadlan, Hj. Mansur Fadal, Sinwan,Jaafar, Qamari.Suib, Fatimah, Said, Sabariah and many more. We were brought to Malaysia upon the invitation by the then Tengku Kassim. For the first time, I met the then Sultan of Kedah. We were lodged at the Sultan Abdul Hamid Sports Club, Alor Star.

Me and my comrads in arms began the spread of Silat Seni Gayong in our own areas of responsibilities.

 

1952
A group of 52 Silat Seni Gayong members went to Malacca for a performance tour. Unfortunately, the bus that we were on met with an accident and actually overturned at Batu Dua, Simpang Renggam, Malaysia. Luckily, nobody suffered serious injuries except for my nephew Qamari bin Melan who has to be sent to hospital in need of medical assistance. We nevertheless, continued with our tour using another bus, even though we were rather shaken. In the same year, I was blessed with the birth of my son, Mohd Rahim, who now continued my struggle.

1953/54
Again, a group of Silat Seni Gayong members went to Malacca. Upon our arrival, we were invited to the house of Mr Yaman at Bukit Lintang. On that same day, I was entrusted by the Grandmaster as the person in charge of the Victoria School training centre.

On the same year, Grandmaster moved to Lorong Fatimah, Woodlands.

Our application to register the Silat School of Seni Gayong was approved that same year. Grandmaster conducted a course for some members from Kedah who wished to increase their knowledge in Gayong in Singapore. I was asked to lead these members. Some of them included Mr Majid, Awang, and the late Mr Ramli.

1959
My love for Art is not only in Silat but also in Drama. With very good feedback and support from my friends, we sought to create a new association that we called PERKASA '59. With strong support, we entered into several local Drama competitions and with good results. One of our drama entitiled 'Juragan Budiman' directed by my nephew Qamari won second place in the All Singapore Drama Competition organized by 'Badan Semangat Baru'. Another of our production called 'Cincin Parung Sari' won first place in another Drama competition.

Despite all of our successes, we were told by the registrar that we cannot use the name PERKASA '59 for it was used by another club, a sepaktakraw club. We therefore sought a new name, but in the mean time our silat and drama activities continued.

1960's
Under my supervision, we went to Stadium Kubu, Malacca to take part in the all Malaysian Gayong Silat Demo. My son and his partner in kris fighting Ahmad Hj Mohd Som accompanied me on this trip to showcase the kris forms. He was around 10 years old, but I figured he could use the exposure.

The very next day, the Grandmaster was very upset about one of the incidents during the Demo.

It was also during this time when we often received invitation to perform silat demonstrations in Kuala Lumpur from Dato' Harun Idris and one notable invitation was for the 'Hari Sang Sepurba Negara', invitation from the then Sultan of Perak.

One of the things that I will never forget is when the Grandmaster personally entrusted me to find the resting place of Daeng Marewah and Daeng Celak, which was quite difficult to find in those days. The purpose was to link the history of Silat Seni Gayong PASAK back with its predecessors. Dato' Meor's grandfather was the grandson of Daeng Marewah, and Gayong's history is very closely linked with the history of the 5 Bugis princes/warriors that left their mark in the history of the Malay Peninsula during the colonial periods.

1963
This is the year that me and my brothers-in-arms finally came up with a name for our new organization. This is when the new name was established: 'Perkumpulan Anak-Anak Sandiwara Angkatan Kesenian', or PASAK for short. The backbone of this new organization at the time was Capt. Samuri Ibrahim,Arif Zahari,Yahya Bujang,Zainol Yusof dan Qamari Melan.

At that time, PASAK was very active with Drama, Silat, Music, and dance. Our Drama chapter was able to produce a very talented dramatist that is still famous up until now: S. Sahlan.

However, the strength of PASAK was more in Silat with names such as Mahfudz Mahdor,Suradi Sipon,Said Osman,Saadon,Muzakir Ahmad, Kasmui Sibon and Omar Pakir Maidin still in my memory as these are my earliest students.

1970s
At the request of the Grandmaster, I left for Taiping, Perak for the Silat Seni Gayong Advanced Training Centre to participate in the black belt course. While there, I was introduced to the then Sultan of Perak as the leader of Silat Seni Gayong in Singapore. In the 70s I was awarded the black belt level 1.

 

Around this time, I moved to Tanjung Rhu Primary School and started a silat class there. Feedback was good, especially participants from Geylang, Kampung Amber, and the Katong area including two daughters of Mr Hj Yaakob Mohd. I also led Silat Seni Gayong PASAK in the demonstration for the World Martial Arts Festival in Gay World Stadium in Geylang. It was a very memorable experience with masters from various martial arts taking part in the event.

What I was very proud of is that world attention to Silat Seni Gayong was very encouraging. During those days, Gayong members were noted for their toughness and ferocity.

Silat Seni Gayong PASAK then was very famous and was by the the Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to perform during the National Day parade. Approximately 250 PASAK members were involved. I was also invited to perform as a cultural event at the Istana to welcome Queen Elizabeth, the Queen of England. Also participating was the Chinese Cultural representative (Dragon Dance) and the Indian Culture (Indian Dance).

It was during the 70s that I was hit by an accident at Jalan Besar area. By hips was run over by a 14 foot lorry after I fell from my motorcycle as I was returning from work. Thank God I survived the incident. After 2 weeks I was allowed to go home. Not long after I was back at the silat class teaching.

PASAK was invited to take part in a documentary film called 'Asian Warrior'. We accepted the offer but we never get to keep a copy of the video.

1976
The Singapore Sports Council at the time suggested that a new Silat Umbrella organization be formed to unite all the Silat styles in Singapore. A representative approached me as I was very qualified and experienced in Silat. I therefore went to visit Mr Hj Yaakob Mohammad to ask for his advice with regards to this matter. After comming to a concensus and with the support of Mr Hj Yakob, Me and my members proceed to form the Singapore Silat Federation (PERSISI).

Moved to Batu Pahat,Johor.
My son Mohd Rahim took over all of my training centres in Singapore.

I proceeded to open a class in Solok Wan Moh and created a committee called 'Lembaga Waris Beradat'. For 4 years, the class grew and the Grandmaster himself had visited the training centre to see for himself the progress of the silat class there.

1980
Because the progress of Silat Seni Gayong became slow after I left, I decided to return to Singapore and assume the leadership of Silat Seni Gayong (PASAK) as my some have problems of his own at the time.

After a few years, membership in Silat Seni Gayong (PASAK) increased and feedback from the community centres were also encouraging.

1988
Organized a tour of 40 members to Taiping, Perak, to meet with the Grandmaster.

1989
Perform the Hajj with Hj Sarkawi and his brother, Hj Marzuki.

1991
The Grandmaster passed away. We visited his grave 100 days after he was buried to change the tombstone.

1991-1995
Became the Singapore Silat National Team Coach as requested by the Singapore Silat Federation (PERSISI).

Tanda-tangan perjanjian dan syarat persetujuan menjadi Jurulatih Tim Singapura

1999
Surrendered some of my duties to my son, Mohd Rahim. A small ceremony was done during the Annual Grading at the East Coast Campsite to announce this.

2000
My son, Mohd Rahim was officially inaugurated as the new Chief Instructor of Silat Seni Gayong (PASAK) Singapore. The ceremony is done at the same time with the Maulidul Rasul ceremony at Malay Village, Geylang.

One of the stories that I will not forget is the meeting with a descendant of Daeng Marewah and Daeng Celak, that is Pak Hj. Mohd Yusuf bin Osman (Please read the story about this meeting).

I visited the grave of the two Bugis Princes with some members, led by Pak Hj Yusuf, as was instructed by the late Grandmaster in line with the history of Silat Seni Gayong PASAK.

2002
Followed a tour of PASAK members from Singapore and Johor to Perak, Kedah, and Selangor. Please see the website for more information about this visit.

2002 selanjutnya
All matters regarding syllabus and control of Silat Seni Gayong PASAK Singapore was given to my son, Mohd Rahim, as my trustee.

For 3 years he led the performance team to Chungju World Martial Arts Festival in South Korea. I am very proud with his ability and the abilities of PASAK's members to make a name for Silat Seni Gayong PASAK not only among the locals in Chungju but also among the other delegates that also took part in the event.

 

FROM THE HEART OF AN OLD MAN

Even though with my old age and my physical impairment, my resolve is still strong to impart my silat knowledge to the young ones that still require my guidance, especially those that holds true to the principles and mission of Silat Seni Gayong. Yes, my physical is bad, but my heart is still healthy, and I can still tell who among my students that are sincere and loyal to PASAK.

The eyes that God gave me may not be so sharp, but my heart is clear. I can still tell who can be entrusted with the effort to spread the art of Silat Seni Gayong.

Remember those among us that for many years claim to be students of Gayong. And yet their hearts are still empty. Learn the mistakes of those members who left Seni Gayong PASAK who claims to be old-timers and yet have fallen for not adhering to the proprieties of the Art.

To all my students that are still active and especially those that have training centres in their care. Spread the Art of Silat Seni Gayong and ensure its authenticity.

There is no difference between people of the past and the present. All have the same limbs and energies. If members of the past can kick a sandbag by jumping 8 or 9 feet, so can people now. If people of yesteryears can jump over 12 or 13 men, present people can do the same. If people of yesteryear can perform the set forms with such ferocity and energy, why can't people now. Make sure that the standards of Silat Seni Gayong PASAK is still maintained.

Maintain the syllabus and the training of weapons. Especially the kris that represents the Malay people and its history. Understand the usage so that you realize why the movements for each weapon is different from the other weapons.

With the situation nowadays, we have youngsters as young as 9 years old interested in learning the Art. Whatever reasons for their being sent to our training centres by their parents, we have an obligation to train them in a way suitable for their age and to incur a sense of proprieties in them so that they will learn to respect their parents, elders, and for them to tell right from wrong.

To the young leaders of Silat Seni Gayong PASAK, you will face a daunting challenge and you must be ready to face them with wisdom to lead the younger ones. As long as I breathe, I do not wish to see our younger generations fall into wrong path in life.

To all my young members. Stay away from the emotion of arrogance and vanity, especially to your parents just because you are higher educated. Respect your elders and obey your teachers.

Look for knowledge wherever you may be. Do it with sincerity, humility, and patience. What is difficult may then be easy, what is heavy may then be light.

Oh God, please protect and save my children of Seni Gayong, strengthen their faith, and illuminate their heart in any situation they may be in.
- Amin.

I seek your fogiveness and understanding should anything that I have said have offended you. That's all. I end with God's grace. May peace be upon you.

Thank you.

Hj. Hussain Bin Kaslan.
(Sole Representative of the late Dato' Meor A. Rahman B. Daeng Uda Md. Hashim D.P.C.M.)
Founder, Silat Seni Gayong (PASAK) Singapura.
To contact him, email Mohd Rahim at: morabh52@gmail.com.

 

HAJI HUSSAIN GURU TERSAYANG
NAGA BORA NAMA GELARAN
JASA BUDI MU TETAP DI KENANG
PENGABDIAN MU KAMI MULIAKAN - Mohd Rahim Hj. Hussain