Silat practitioners are the country's third line of defence against internal and external threats, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Najib, who was speaking at Himpunan Sang Sapurba Segayong Malaysia, said silat practitioners were the third line of defence because of their warrior spirit.
Najib also called on silat practitioners to practice restraint against irresponsible parties intent on instigating hatred amongst the Malays and Malaysians.
"We must not let certain quarters destroy what our forefathers have built."
At the event, Najib presented various sashes to silat masters and launched the Silat Gayong Foundation.
Also present was the Minister of Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives Datuk Hasan Malek and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Brig-Gen (rtd) Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.
