Today, (May 13th 2025) we mourn the loss of a true legend in the world of Pencak Silat—Pak Eddy Nalapraya. As the former President of the International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT), his vision and leadership elevated Silat from a regional tradition to a global art and sport.
His dedication paved the way for countless practitioners around the world, and his legacy will continue through every jurus, every competition, and every student who learns this sacred art.
Early Life & Foundations
Born in the port district of Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, Eddy was the eldest of nine children in a humble Betawi family. His father, H. Mohammad Soetarman, a local mechanic, and his mother, Marsati, raised him with strong values in faith, discipline, and service. His grandfather, Haji Buchori, a revered community religious leader, introduced young Eddy to the Quran and to Pencak Silat, treating both as tools for moral and spiritual refinement.
During Indonesia’s struggle for independence, his family relocated to Tasikmalaya. There, Eddy’s worldview expanded—he witnessed the turbulence of revolution, joined the White Garuda Detachment, and formed close ties with notable figures such as Captain Burdah and a young Rhoma Irama, who would later become a legendary dangdut musician and public figure.
Military and Public Service Career
Eddy’s service began during the Indonesian National Revolution, where he worked as a military courier. He climbed the ranks quickly—attending multiple military academies, quelling regional rebellions, and serving in UN peacekeeping missions in the Congo. A defining moment in his career came when he was assigned to protect General Suharto during a critical phase of Indonesian history. Eddy’s proactive and innovative security strategies earned Suharto’s trust, and he later led the elite inner circle of Suharto’s personal security team.
Following these duties, he served in several leadership roles within the Jakarta Military Region, eventually becoming Chief of Staff. In 1984, he transitioned into politics, serving as Jakarta’s Deputy Governor for Political Affairs and later as a senior advisor in President B.J. Habibie’s administration after the Reformasi period.
Champion of Pencak Silat
Eddy Nalapraya’s most enduring legacy lies in his transformative leadership within the world of martial arts. His formal journey with Pencak Silat began in 1978 when he accepted the role of Chairman of the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI). He quickly brought structure, unity, and vision to the fragmented Silat community in the capital.
In 1980, he co-founded the International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT) alongside representatives from Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, becoming its first President. His vision was not just administrative but deeply cultural: he saw Silat as a way to build character, promote peace, and represent Indonesia on the world stage.
During his 25-year leadership of IPSI and PERSILAT, he:
- Standardized competition rules and formats
- Promoted unity among traditional silat schools
- Introduced Silat into major international events like the SEA Games
- Founded the World Pencak Silat Championship series, beginning in 1982
- Helped build the Padepokan Pencak Silat in Jakarta, inaugurated in 1997 by President Suharto
Through diplomatic outreach and cultural partnerships, he helped establish Silat federations across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. He was instrumental in positioning Pencak Silat not just as a sport, but as an emblem of Indonesian identity and heritage.
Personal Life
Eddy was married twice—first to Anne Marie, of German-Javanese heritage, with whom he had five children. After her passing in 1963, he married Merry (later known as Mariam after performing the Hajj), an Indo-French-Bugis woman who supported him through much of his public and martial arts work.
Final Years and Legacy
Pak Eddy Nalapraya passed away peacefully on May 13, 2025, at Pondok Indah Hospital in Jakarta. His contributions to Indonesia and to the global martial arts community remain immeasurable. His vision lives on through every Silat practitioner, every competition, and every student who learns not only the techniques but the values of this noble art.
Photo of Pak Eddie by Widodo S. Jusuf
