Membership Matters

SSF offers two types of organisational membership:

• Full Membership (Ordinary Member):
  For entities registered in Singapore with the Registry of Societies (ROS) that are actively involved in the promotion, training, or development of Pencak Silat.

• Associate Membership:
  For organisations, clubs, institutions, schools, academies, and Pencak Silat teams that support the objectives of SSF but do not qualify for Full Membership.

Full Membership (Ordinary Member):

• Must be registered in Singapore with the Registry of Societies (ROS).

• Actively involved in the promotion, training, or development of Pencak Silat.

• Must have participated in SSF activities (e.g., competitions, programmes, or courses) within the past 12 months.

• Required to have at least 30 individual members who are not registered under another Full Member.

• All voting members and management must be Singapore citizens.

• Granted voting rights at SSF General Meetings and during Board elections.

• Membership must be approved by a special resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), with the support of at least two-thirds of existing voting members.

Associate Membership:

• Open to organisations, clubs, institutions, schools, academies, or Silat teams that support SSF’s objectives.

• Not required to be registered with ROS.

• Not required to participate in SSF programmes prior to application.

• No minimum membership size is required.

• No voting rights at SSF General Meetings or Board elections.

• Membership is approved by the SSF Board.

The typical processing time for affiliation applications is between 3 to 6 months. This includes:

• Verification of submitted documents

• Internal review by the SSF Secretariat and Board

• Approval at the Annual General Meeting (for Full Members)

Please note that the process may take longer if the submission lacks clarity, contains incomplete information, or requires additional verification. Applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure that all required documents are complete, accurate, and properly organised to avoid delays.

The Singapore Silat Federation (SSF) is the only official National Sports Association (NSA) for Pencak Silat in Singapore. It is recognised by national authorities and is solely responsible for overseeing, promoting, and developing the sport of Pencak Silat across the nation.

By affiliating with SSF, your organisation becomes part of the official Silat ecosystem in Singapore and gains access to the following benefits:

• National Recognition
  Be part of the nationally mandated body for Pencak Silat, recognised by Sport Singapore and affiliated with the International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT).

• Access to Events and Programmes
  Participate in SSF-endorsed competitions, grading exercises, coaching and referee courses, and structured development programmes.

• Athlete and Coach Development Pathways
  Gain access to recognised pathways for the development and progression of athletes, coaches, and technical officials, including opportunities to represent Singapore at international events.

• Governance and Representation
  Full Members have voting rights at General Meetings and can nominate individuals to serve on the SSF Board, allowing affiliates to play a role in shaping the direction of the sport.

• Community and Cultural Engagement
  Support the preservation and promotion of Pencak Silat’s cultural heritage while fostering community participation, inclusiveness, and youth involvement through martial arts.

• Visibility and Support
  Affiliates may benefit from SSF’s support in promoting club activities and programmes via official communication platforms.

• Coaching Standards and Compliance
  All coaches of clubs affiliated with SSF are required to uphold the standards and parameters set by Sport Singapore (SportSG) and Safe Sport Singapore. This includes compliance with safeguarding policies, ethical conduct, and the safe delivery of training environments. SSF ensures that coaches are held to nationally recognised benchmarks to protect the welfare of all participants.

Joining SSF affirms your organisation’s commitment to high standards, structured development, and the collective vision of advancing Pencak Silat in Singapore through a nationally recognised and professionally governed body.

The following documents are required:

• Full background or history of the association and/or Silat club

• Full syllabus of the Silat club

• Name list of the Management Committee (including designation)

• Name list of Silat Coaches/Instructors with qualifications and certifications

• Name list of members (name, gender, and age)

• Venue and schedule of training sessions

• Declaration of any legal charges involving the organisation or its leaders

Incomplete applications may be rejected.

SSF collects biannual (every two years) membership fees as follows:

• Full Member: $300 (every two years)

• Associate Member: $200 (every two years)

Fees are payable upon approval of membership and by 31 December of the second year of each cycle. Late or non-payment may result in suspension or termination.

Each member—whether Full or Associate—may be represented by only one club or affiliate. Duplicate or overlapping registrations across multiple clubs are not permitted.

This policy takes strict reference from the SSF Constitution and is intended to ensure fairness, clarity in representation, and compliance with membership eligibility criteria. It also supports effective governance and accountability across all affiliated organisations.

To ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency within the Singapore Silat Federation (SSF), each Full Member may be represented by only one club or affiliate. This policy, effective from 2025 onwards, formalises existing expectations and strengthens operational clarity. It is important to note that this guideline does not represent a change to the SSF Constitution, but is a strict interpretation and reinforcement of the current membership criteria. This approach serves several key purposes:

1. Clarity of Representation
   Limiting representation to one club per Full Member avoids duplication and confusion regarding voting rights, participation records, and eligibility for SSF events or programmes.

2. Accountability and Governance
   A single point of representation ensures that each Full Member is clearly accountable for its own members, instructors, and activities. It simplifies communication and allows SSF to manage relationships with affiliates more effectively.

3. Equity Among Affiliates
   This policy prevents any one organisation from disproportionately influencing SSF decisions by registering through multiple clubs. It upholds the principle of equal and fair representation for all members.

4. Administrative Efficiency
   Having one official club represent each Full Member streamlines processes related to membership verification, programme registration, and resource allocation.

5. Compliance with Membership Criteria
   The SSF Constitution requires Full Members to have a minimum of 30 members who are not registered under another Full Member. Limiting representation to one club helps uphold this requirement and maintain membership integrity.

This approach aligns with SSF’s commitment to building a transparent, inclusive, and well-governed Silat community in Singapore.

Yes, it is possible to change your representative club, but such changes must be done formally and in compliance with SSF’s membership policies and the Constitution.

If a Full or Associate Member wishes to switch its designated representative club, the following conditions apply:

1. Formal Notification
   The request must be submitted in writing to the SSF Secretariat, clearly stating the reason for the change and identifying the new club that will serve as the official representative.

2. Re-submission of Affiliation Documents
   A new Affiliation Form (Parts A and B) must be completed for the newly designated club, along with updated supporting documents such as membership lists, management details, and programme information.

3. Membership Criteria Must Be Met
   The new representative club must independently meet all applicable criteria for membership (e.g., minimum member count, participation in SSF activities, compliance with governance requirements).

Please note that frequent or arbitrary changes may affect your membership standing and continuity of participation. To ensure accountability, each member is encouraged to maintain a stable and well-structured representation.

For assistance with this process, you may contact the SSF Secretariat at ssf@persisi.org.sg.

If your association oversees multiple Silat clubs under a single umbrella, SSF acknowledges the historical contributions and longstanding role of legacy associations in advancing Pencak Silat in Singapore.

From 2025 onwards, and in line with SSF’s clarified membership framework, each Full or Associate Member may be represented by only one designated club or affiliate. While your association may continue to support and coordinate multiple clubs internally, only one club may serve as the official representative to SSF for membership and governance purposes.

To proceed, we recommend the following:

1. Nominate a Representative Club
   Choose one club within your association to act as the official representative for your SSF membership. This club will fulfil the affiliation criteria (e.g., participation in SSF activities, minimum membership count, etc.) and serve as the official point of contact with SSF.

2. Consolidate Membership Records
   Ensure that the club nominated for Full Membership meets the constitutional requirement of at least 30 members who are not affiliated with another Full Member.

3. Submit the 2025 Affiliation Form
   Complete and submit the current affiliation form with supporting documents relevant to the nominated representative club.

4. Affiliate Clubs May Join as Associate Members
   Clubs under your association’s network that wish to maintain a direct relationship with SSF are encouraged to apply for Associate Membership independently. This allows them to participate in SSF programmes and benefit from affiliation while adhering to the one-club-one-member policy.

5. Maintain Internal Collaboration
   While only one club may represent the association officially, your broader organisational structure may continue to function, coordinate, and support all its affiliated clubs internally.

If you need further clarification or support during this transition, please contact the SSF Secretariat at ssf@persisi.org.sg. We are committed to supporting legacy associations through this alignment process while recognising their continued role in the growth of Silat in Singapore.

To open a new silat group under the Singapore Silat Federation (SSF), the following criteria must be met:

1. Credentials & Teaching Experience:
   The applicant—usually the Guru Utama or lead instructor—must have previously held the position of Guru in an established perguruan (silat school). This ensures that the applicant has both technical proficiency and teaching experience.

2. People’s Association (PA) Trainer Certification:
   The applicant must be a certified PA trainer, which is required for conducting silat classes in community and grassroots settings across Singapore.

3. Verification of Style and Naming:
   All applicants must be prepared to provide supporting information that demonstrates the authenticity and legitimacy of the silat style being introduced—whether it is locally developed or originates from overseas. If the style originates from another country, a formal letter of certification or endorsement from the recognised authority in the source country is required. This helps avoid disputes over lineage, representation, or ownership.

For newly established groups or original silat styles, applicants must also ensure that the chosen name is not already in use anywhere in the world. It is the applicant’s responsibility to carry out thorough due diligence to avoid duplication or potential conflicts with existing names or entities.

We appreciate your interest in the programmes and events organised by the Singapore Silat Federation (SSF). As the national governing body for Pencak Silat in Singapore, SSF prioritises the participation of affiliated members to ensure quality, safety, and alignment with national sporting standards.

To proceed, your club may consider the following:

1. Apply for Membership
   Your club is encouraged to apply for Associate Membership with SSF. Associate Members are eligible to participate in a wide range of activities, including training programmes, courses, and selected competitions.

2. Submit the Affiliation Form
   Complete the latest SSF Affiliation Form (available via the SSF Secretariat or official website) and submit it with the required supporting documents, such as your club’s background, training syllabus, list of instructors, and member details.

3. Allow for Processing Time
   The affiliation review and approval process typically takes 3 to 6 months, depending on the completeness and clarity of your submission.

Exceptions for participation without membership may be considered only for:

3. • Recognised institutional partners of SSF (e.g. government agencies, national bodies); and

   • Established institutions, partners or programmes formally recognised by Sport Singapore (SportSG).

In all cases, such participation is subject to prior approval by SSF and aligned with the nature and requirements of the programme or event.

For further guidance or to begin the affiliation process, please contact the SSF Secretariat at ssf@persisi.org.sg. We look forward to your involvement and commitment to the growth of Pencak Silat in Singapore.

In the context of silat, a Guru is a recognised and experienced instructor who has attained a level of mastery in the art and is formally authorised to teach others. This title is typically conferred by the perguruan (silat school) or the lineage the practitioner belongs to.

The role of a Guru goes beyond technical instruction—it also includes the transmission of silat philosophy, values, and tradition. In many systems, there are different tiers of teaching titles (such as Guru Muda, Guru Madya, or Guru Utama), with Guru Utama often referring to the head or founder of a silat style. Regardless of the terms used, SSF recognises them equally as Guru. 

To be considered a Guru by the SSF, one must be able to demonstrate formal recognition from their previous perguruan, along with a proven history of teaching and upholding silat values. 

To apply:

1. Download the official Affiliation Form 2025 from the SSF website or request it from the Secretariat.

2. Complete both Part A (organisation) and Part B (Silat Club) of the form.

3. Attach all required supporting documents.

4. Submit the completed form to:
   Email: ssf@persisi.org.sg
   Mailing Address:
   Singapore Silat Federation
   11 Bedok North Street 1, #04-02
   HEARTBEAT@BEDOK, Singapore 469662

For all membership enquiries, please contact the SSF Secretariat at ssf@persisi.org.sg.