By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 9: Sarawak silat veteran Muhammad Haneef Ali will be remembered for his enduring contributions to Malay martial arts, Islamic outreach, and community service in Sarawak.
According to a TVS report, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Muhammad Haneef was a humble, caring individual who contributed significantly to Angkatan Nahdatul Islam Bersatu (BINA), now known as Harakah Islamiah (HIKMAH).
He said Muhammad Haneef was also actively involved in Islamic outreach and had guided numerous students in the Malay martial arts tradition.
“His contributions will certainly be remembered, particularly his efforts to help the community,” he said while conveying his condolences to the bereaved family.
Abang Johari also hoped Muhammad Haneef’s dedication to serving the community would inspire younger generations to continue contributing to society.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah described Muhammad Haneef’s passing as a major loss to the State’s silat community.
Abdul Karim said Muhammad Haneef, who was president of Rumpun Silat Sarawak (RSS), had dedicated much of his life to silat, leaving a meaningful legacy across various silat schools in the State.
He added that practitioners who benefited from his guidance and efforts would continue to feel Muhammad Haneef’s contributions.
Abdul Karim also extended his condolences to Muhammad Haneef’s family and those who had been close to him.
Muhammad Haneef, born in Miri, began learning silat at age nine and went on to serve as RSS secretary-general from 1987 to 2014 before becoming its president, a position he held until his death.
He was also Guru Utama of Perguruan Seni Silat Helang Putih Perkasa Sarawak.
He was named Tokoh Guru Silat in 2001, received the Johan Bintang Kenyalang in 2016 and was honoured with the Anugerah Jasamu Dikenang by the Malaysian National Silat Federation (PESAKA Malaysia) in 2024 for his contributions to the martial art.
He died at the age of 78 on Oct 8. — DayakDaily
