In the midst of a global pandemic, Malaysia made history by hosting the 9th IMACSSS International Conference and the 2nd Global Scientific Martial Arts and Cultural Congress (GSMACC) in Putrajaya. Held in October 2020, this hybrid event combined academic presentations with live martial arts competitions, showcasing Malaysia’s leadership in martial arts innovation and cultural diplomacy.
At the heart of this event was the introduction of Silat Tempur, a structured combat sport for children developed by PASSMAL (The Malaysian Team of Original Silat Malaya) under the guidance of Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie. Silat Tempur is designed to be safe, educational, and culturally rooted, offering young athletes a platform to learn discipline, respect, and physical fitness through a modernized version of traditional Silat (Shapie et al., 2019).
The conference was a bold response to the challenges posed by COVID-19. With international travel restrictions in place, the organizers adopted a hybrid format, allowing global scholars and martial arts practitioners to participate virtually. This innovative approach not only maintained academic continuity but also introduced a new model for martial arts tourism and scientific exchange (Swider, 2022).
Held in Putrajaya, Malaysia’s administrative capital, the event attracted over 100 participants and featured keynote speakers such as Prof. Wojciech J. Cynarski and Prof. Carlos Gutierrez-Garcia, both renowned for their contributions to martial arts anthropology. The conference also included the First International Silat Tempur Invitational Championship, where young athletes demonstrated the effectiveness and excitement of Silat Tempur in a competitive setting (Shapie et al., 2020).
The success of the IMACSSS 2020 conference was not just in its execution but in its message: that martial arts, especially indigenous forms like Silat, can evolve and thrive even in difficult times. Silat Tempur’s inclusion highlighted Malaysia’s commitment to promoting youth development, cultural heritage, and academic excellence through sport.
Dr. Shapie’s leadership through PASSMAL has been instrumental in positioning Silat Tempur as a global model for children’s combat sports. His work bridges tradition and modernity, ensuring that Silat remains relevant, respected, and recognized internationally. The IMACSSS 2020 conference will be remembered as a turning point—not just for Silat, but for how martial arts can adapt and inspire in a changing world.
References
Shapie, M. N. M., Tumijan, W., Kusrin, J., Elias, M. S., & Abdullah, N. M. (2019). Silat Tempur: An overview of the children’s combat sports. Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, 19(1S), 55–61. https://doi.org/10.14589/ido.19.1S.9
Shapie, M. N. M., Nadzalan, A. M., Japilus, S. J. M., & Ramli, M. S. (Eds.). (2020). Global Scientific Martial Arts and Cultural Congress (GSMACC) and 9th IMACSSS International Conference 2020. Abstract Book. Putrajaya.
Swider, P. (2022). A scientific and martial arts event in a new pandemic situation; casus of one conference anno domini 2020. Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, 22(2), 56–64. https://doi.org/10.14589/ido.22.2.7
