Coaches

Guru Muhammad Jailani is an educator by profession and a dedicated volunteer with the Singapore Police Force (SPF), where he currently serves as Deputy Officer-in-Command of Police Contact Tactics in one of Singapore’s land divisions. Previously, he was Deputy Officer-in-Command (Schools) at SPF’s Training Command, responsible for training and developing future officers. During his tenure, he taught Law and Police Procedures, equipping officers with essential legal knowledge and operational understanding. As a Senior Trainer in Contact Tactics (Police Defense Tactics), he continues to contribute to law enforcement by training officers in self-defense and tactical response.

Beyond law enforcement, he has dedicated much of his life to Pencak Silat, a passion he cultivated from childhood. He strongly believes in Silat’s ability to instill discipline, resilience, and moral values in students. His expertise extends to traditional Malay weapons, particularly the keris, where his deep knowledge of its history, craftsmanship, and cultural significance has made him a respected figure in the field. His commitment to preserving Malay martial heritage led him to be a member of Yayasan Keris Singapura, where he actively contributes to the appreciation and conservation of the keris tradition. 

Guru Jailani holds both a Master of Arts and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, reflecting his strong academic foundation in pedagogy, cultural studies, and traditional knowledge transmission. His deep understanding of Malay culture, philosophy, and literature has led to numerous invitations to speak and present at prestigious institutions, including Esplanade, the Malay Heritage Centre, University of Malaya, Nanyang Technological University, and Wisma Geylang Serai. His research and scholarship cover the nuances of Malay thought, cultural practices, and artifacts related to Silat and traditional Malay weaponry. His expertise in Malay arts is further enriched by his background in Traditional Malay Dance, which has given him a unique perspective on the fluidity, rhythm, and structured techniques that connect Silat with Malay dance, reinforcing the deep cultural ties between the two disciplines. 

As an accredited coach under the Singapore National Registry of Coaches (NROC) and a People’s Association (PA) trainer, Guru Jailani actively contributes to the development of Silat in Singapore. He has also played key leadership roles in the Silat community, having served as the President of a Silat Federation, where he was instrumental in shaping the sport’s development in Singapore. Additionally, he is a qualified National Referee-Juror, first receiving his certification at the age of 18, making him one of the youngest Silat coaches in Singapore to be appointed to this role. His leadership extends beyond Singapore—he made history as the first Singaporean to lead a major Malay-oriented student organization in Malaysia, marking a significant milestone in cross-border academic and cultural relations. 

A passionate writer, his writings serve to document and preserve invaluable knowledge about the martial art for future generations. He is also the Content Developer for Singapore Silat Federation's website as well as Editor for its quarterly magazine where he explores the philosophies, traditions, and technical aspects of Silat. His scholarship has been deeply influenced by mentorship under renowned scholars, including Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Mohd Taib Osman, a distinguished figure in Malay studies, as well as Salleh Buang, through his involvement in Kemuning Arts Society, where he deepened his understanding of Malay literature, culture, and traditional arts. His academic journey has also included learning under Dr. Silvestre Pamardi (Institut Seni Indonesia, Surakarta), Raja Alfirafindra (Institut Seni Indonesia, Yogyakarta), Fathurrahman Said, and Nur Afifi Mohd Taib (Universiti Teknologi MARA, UiTM), along with training under various Silat masters across the region. His immersion in these diverse academic and cultural traditions has given him a rare, holistic perspective on Malay intellectual, literary, and martial heritage. 

Guru Jailani’s dedication to community service, education, and cultural preservation has earned him prestigious awards, including the Goh Chok Tong Youth Promise Award (2016) and Yayasan MENDAKI’s Outstanding Contribution Award (2022). His ability to bridge education, law enforcement, martial arts, and cultural preservation makes him a respected thought leader in these fields. Through his training, research, and leadership, he continues to shape the future of Silat and Malay cultural heritage, ensuring their relevance for generations to come.