|
By Ilmkhal
It has been exactly one year since the passing of Guru Jak Othman—a teacher, a wise warrior, and a man whose impact on my life and the martial arts world cannot be put into mere words.
Through this man, I got to see the wonderful world of Silat, both in Malaysia and abroad. The way he carried himself—with a mix of humility, pride and genuine love for the art, left a lasting imprint on my heart. His presence could fill a room, and he had that rare ability to uplift everyone around him, with his charms, wits and his infectious laughter.
Before meeting Guru Jak, I tried a few Silat styles—either I left immediately, or I stayed for a few weeks. Something never quite clicked. But with Guru Jak, I stayed for years. I trained, absorbed, and kept returning. That, in itself, says everything about the kind of man he was. His aura, charisma, and deep skills and knowledge, had a way of pulling people in—and making them want to stay. That was his gift.
One of his most lasting contributions was through mass media. In the 1990s, Guru Jak hosted a prime-time television show on TV3 called Mahaguru, which brought Silat and other martial arts into Malaysian living rooms. It wasn’t just entertainment—it was education, or edu-tainment. For many, it was their first real encounter with traditional martial arts, and the show sparked a national interest in Silat that still echoes today. 
In 2008, I had the honor of taking two weeks off from my work in TV creative department to assist Guru Jak in the production of Inside Silat, a documentary feature for TV that took us across Malaysia, filming various Silat subjects and masters. Those two weeks were an unforgettable experience—intense, insightful, and precious. The documentary later went on to win Best Cultural Documentary at the Malaysian Documentary Festival in 2009. I’m proud to have been a part of it, and even prouder that it was led by someone who directly teaches me Silat.
I also had the privilege of working with him behind the camera on other projects--producing Silat content together was always a great experience. With his background as a TV director, he had a clear visual language in his head. He knew exactly what he wanted from a shot, from a scene, from a story. The process was always fast, focused, and efficient. Working with him taught me not just about martial arts, but also about clarity of vision, storytelling, and the discipline to bring ideas to life. His style was explosive, fast paced, and loud. I learned to adopt and adapt his directing style through fast camera movements, dutch angles, following the actions, catching the hits, and in edit, his message to me was always, to cut on action. Waste no frames.
Beyond television and internet videos, he also left behind a written legacy. Guru Jak was a passionate writer, contributing powerful articles to local martial arts magazines. His words reached those who had never met him in person, yet still felt mentored through the pages. His writing didn’t just teach techniques—it cultivated mindset, ethics, and passion for the martial path. Many of today’s martial arts instructors and enthusiasts still remember those articles as formative.
Martial Arts Illustrated Feb 2015
Martial Arts Illustrated Feb 2015
For me, his Harimau Berantai system is in my flesh and blood. It shaped how I move, how I think, how I teach. I teach not because I’ve mastered it—but because teaching helps me understand it better. Every time I pass on what he taught me, I discover new layers I had missed before, and reminds me of the little details he passed on that I may have forgot. That, to me, is how his legacy lives on: through the continuous process of learning, sharing, and reflecting.
Silat, in Guru Jak’s eyes, was never just about fighting. It was about becoming a better human being—one who is kind, able to protect, and walks with dignity and humility.
I remember he said: “Have Silat will travel. I travel around the world to teach Silat because Silat can make people a better person.” Silat, when taught with values, becomes a vehicle of transformation—not just physically, but also spiritually.
Now, as I return to producing Silat shorts and planning more structured content, I’m reminded of how much Guru Jak’s spirit still lives on. From time to time, I receive video analytics—and people are still searching for his videos. His image, his words, his movements—they continue to teach, long after he's gone. He lives through his videos, and his knowledge is still spreading.
I’m grateful I got to witness it all—and even more grateful that I can now be part of preserving it. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him.” (Sahih Muslim 1631) May Guru Jak’s many students carry on his teachings, so that he may continue to benefit in his next phase of life. May his knowledge continue to spread, and may his reward never cease. Ameen. 
The first and the last time I met Guru Jak was neither planned nor coincidence.
They were pre-destined--as Allah willed it. Whatever happened along the way between us will never change this truth: He was my Silat teacher. And he was the man who unlocked the world of Silat for me. 
Thank you to my brother Kru Khen for this picture.
Continuing the Legacy
If you're interested in learning Silat from the foundation I received under Guru Jak—especially in small weapons—my ebook “Basic Silat Knife Drills” is now available. It’s more than a technical guide; it’s part of the legacy, passed on with intention and respect. Get your copy here https://payhip.com/b/XLkQ1 Let’s keep the knowledge alive. Let’s keep the stories sharp. Let’s keep walking the path. 
I have got to go. I have morning class today. Keep training and stay motivated!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
RSS Feed
