Rajiv Rishyakaran takes on Melaka sports exco over the exclusion of silambam in SUKMA 2026

Bukit Gasing state assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran took Melaka sports exco Datuk VP Shanmugam to task over the failure to include Indian martial arts, Silambam in SUKMA 2026 which is scheduled to be held in Selangor.

“The question that now must be answered publicly and without delay is this: Did Datuk V.P. Shanmugam attend the Sukma Supreme Council meeting that decided to exclude Silambam?

“If he was present, then the Indian community deserves a full and transparent explanation. What arguments did he put forward for the inclusion of Silambam? Was there a vote, and how did he vote?

“How could he, as the lone voice for our community, allow such a significant decision to happen on his watch?

“If he was not present, his absence is an act of gross negligence and a dereliction of duty. To be the sole representative for a community on a matter of such cultural importance and to fail to show up is an unforgivable betrayal.

“This issue is no longer just about a sport; it is about political representation and accountability. The lack of Silambam in SUKMA 2026 is a symptom of a larger problem where the concerns of a minority community are either ignored or inadequately represented.

“Datuk Shanmugam must come forward immediately to clarify his role, or lack thereof, in this decision. The Indian community deserves to know if their voice was heard, and if not, why.

“I urge him to be transparent and to explain what concrete steps he will take now to rectify this situation and ensure that Silambam is included in future national games.”

Shanmugam is also SUKMA Supreme Council representative and the sole Indian rep.

For the record silambam was featured in SUKMA in 2008 until 2013 before it was dropped. It returned as a demonstration sport in 2022 and a medal sport 2024.

Most recently it was even contested in SUKMA 2024 that was held in Sarawak.

While it is dominated by Indians, non-Indian silambam athletes are regulars from Sabah, Sarawak and Kedah.