Ramliee Ahmad’s Silat song: A dance of steel and spirit

This work is originally published by Cahya Mata Sarawak. DayakDaily has been given permission to share this story on our platforms. 

By Martin Yee, Kenny Ee, and Marlynda Meraw

SARAWAK, with its rich heritage of warriors and cultures, proved to the world that it could nurture champions in the ancient Malay art of Silat. In 1992, the world bore witness to the strength, grace, and resilience of one of its own—Ramliee Ahmad, who stood victorious at the Silat World Championships held in Jakarta.

Crowned as a world champion, Ramliee embodied Sarawakian pride, a testament to his unwavering tenacity and the unyielding spirit of Silat that coursed through him. Every step he took in the arena reflected his devotion; his strength drawn from the challenges he overcame. His victory was a celebration of more than just skill—the manifestation of spirit that refused to be broken, and a powerful reminder that Sarawak could produce champions who stood tall on the world stage.

For most, achieving the apex of success in any sport is but a distant dream. But for Ramliee, that dream was realised on the world stage. Standing at the summit of his journey, he felt on top of the world, for it was not just a personal victory—it was a moment where Sarawak showed the world that its warriors could hold their own in Silat’s hallowed circles.

Sarawak had begun to leave its mark in Silat long before Ramliee’s breakthrough. Nurulhuda Mohd Salleh, a fellow Sarawakian, had already claimed a silver medal in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held in the Philippines in 1991, setting the stage for Ramliee’s crowning achievement. His success was mirrored by his teammate, Wahid Erol, who also earned a silver in the same tournament, a powerful demonstration of thestrength of Sarawakian Silat exponents.

Born in Kuching, Ramliee’s love affair with sports began not with Silat, but with football. As a teenager, he joined the Sarawak Football Academy, nurturing dreams of making it big on the green fields of football. He represented Sarawak in the Razak Cup and President’s Cup in 1989, but his heart’s true calling awaited him elsewhere. Despite his early passion, football never brought him the success he craved at the highest level. By 1990, Ramliee had decided to trade his football boots for the traditional garb of a Silat warrior.

His transition from football to Silat was not easy, but it proved to be a life-changing decision. While still in school at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Petra Jaya, Ramliee joined the school’s Silat club, and it was here that he first caught the eye of his coaches. In 1989, he was selected for the Sarawak Malaysian Games (Sukma) squad, an achievement that set the course for his Silat journey.

Ramliee’s path took an unexpected turn during the 1990 Sukma held in Sarawak, where he did not make it to the final selection. Though it was a moment of personal disappointment, he refused to let it deter him and get him down. Determined to prove his worth, Ramliee channelled his focus and returned stronger. By the 1992 Sukma in Johore, he had transformed that early setback into a win, securing his first major title and setting the stage for what would become a remarkable rise to greatness.

Following his Sukma triumph in Johore, Ramliee gained momentum. He was selected to represent Sarawak at the national tournament in Malacca, and his talent did not go unnoticed. National selectors soon called upon him, and he embarked on a one month intensive training programme in Serdang. The road ahead was arduous, but the Silat warrior never faltered.

He trained relentlessly, even when financial support was scarce, driven by a burning desire to reach the top.

“Fitness was everything,” he recalled, “I would jog several times a day, pushing myself because I knew I had to honour the chance I had been given to represent my nation.”

Representing Malaysia on the world stage was an honour, but it also came with immense pressure. Ramliee had something to prove—not just to himself, but to the people of Sarawak.

His motivation came from within, but it was also deeply rooted in his connection to his homeland. “I had to show that a Sarawakian could make it to the top,” he said, and he did just that. His coach, Mufti Ansari played an integral role in creating the champion Ramliee had become, guiding him with wisdom and pushing him to continuously strive for greatness.

The crest of his journey came in Jakarta, where he faced an Indonesian opponent in the finals. The crowd was loud, their cheers overwhelmingly in favour of their home hero—but Ramliee stood resolute, drawing on the fighting spirit that had defined him throughout his journey. It was not just a battle of physical strength but of mental fortitude—a warrior’s battle fought with heart and soul.

The victory Ramliee earned was a great achievement for Sarawak, for Silat, and for the countless hours of sacrifice, training, and self-discipline that he had dedicated to his craft. His dance of steel and spirit on the mat had culminated in a Silat song that resonated far beyond the competition arena—a tune that spoke of the unswerving spirit of the Sarawakian warrior. –DayakDaily

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