My MP Journey

The cornerstone for Merpati Putih Germany was laid in Jakarta in September 2006. I had the opportunity to get to know MP grandmaster and co-founder Mas Poeng, doing an internship during my studies. Because Ramadan had just begun at that time, there was unfortunately no opportunity for me to take part in regular training. I was therefore personally introduced to MP by Mas Poeng and received learning material from him to bridge the time until my next stay in Indonesia.

First Steps: Darmasiswa in Bandung, 2008/09

Between August 2008 and March 2009, I spent eight months in Bandung (West Java) as a Darmasiswa scholarship holder and was taught MP by Kang Ferry Hendarsin and Mas Eldi. Kang Ferry is an MP master, IPSI regional coordinator, and national coach of the Indonesian Pencak Silat team; his student Mas Eldi has already qualified for world championships several times and successfully competed against the world’s top silat fighters (e.g. vice- world champion in 2015). At the ‘GOR Pajajaran’ performance center in Bandung, I received intensive instruction in MP and how to use Inner Power. By the end of 2008, I had passed my first exams (Dasar 1 & 2).

In January 2009 I had the chance to participate in my first annual meeting “Tradisi Tahunan MP” on the south coast of Yogyakarta (Parangkusumo) and afterwards I was able to successfully pass the examination for the third student degree (Balik 1).

Studying MP at the cultural center, 2014/15

Between August 2014 and September 2015, I was able to continue my training in MP as a postgraduate student in Yogyakarta (Central Java), the founding site of the school. At the training center (kolat) of ‘UPN Veteran’ and other kolat MP, I was instructed by Mas Ajib and a number of other MP masters and was able to further deepen my understanding of Inner Power and Getaran.

During the year that I spent in Yogyakarta, I attended various special trainings and events, such as lathian alam (training [in] nature). I also attended the Tradisi MP in Parangkusumo in November 2014, but did not have the chance to be tested again for my next MP degree.

Next UKT, back to Bandung, Spring 2020

Between end of February and mid-March 2020, shortly before COVID-19 turned the world upside down, I traveled to Indonesia again, to be further trained and tested in Merpati Putih. New breathing-meditation techniques were part of the training, as well as stretching exercises and physio-therapeutic approaches (manual therapy).

As part of my UKT examinations, I successfully completed breaking tests on cast iron metal parts (“pompa dragon”) and steel parts (“kikir baja”) and was therefore able to move up the MP grading system again.

Since 2020, despite the (post-)COVID difficulties, I have been teaching MP for the first time in Germany and now introduce everyone who is interested to this powerful ancient Indonesian martial art, including Inner Power and Getaran. During the pandemic, an online training group was established, enabling people from all over Germany to experience MP training. Since April 2025, I teach MP at the Justus-Liebig-University in Gießen (D-35394). I am already looking forward to my next visit to Indonesia, to further deepen my understanding about Pencak Silat. And so my journey in MP continues, both as a student and as a teacher.