Allahyarham Haji Jamaludin bin Shahadan (aka Haji Jamal) was born on 29th July 1941 in Muar, Johor. Of Daing Royal Bugis descent from Sulawesi, Indonesia. He was Malaysian by birth and upbringing.At the age of 11, he began learning Silat under his grandfather, Dol Ghani, who taught him the Kuntau Telok Mas Melaka style. He trained under his grandfather for three years before continuing for a year with Abd Rahman bin Haji Hamzah, the younger brother of Haji Abd Hamid bin Haji Hamzah, his classmate at Muar High School. Later, he became a student of the great Guru Haji Abdul Hamid aka Haji Hamid — a respected Sufi imam and legendary silat master of the region.

From a young age, Haji Jamaludin displayed remarkable martial ability. At 15, he won his first duel against another Sendeng exponent, which earned him the confidence to begin teaching a small group of friends. His passion for both Sendeng and Kuntau came naturally, as his maternal grandfather was skilled in Sendeng while his paternal grandfather, Dol Ghani, was a Kuntau practitioner. This combination gave him lightning reflexes and a strong foundation in both external technique and internal strength.

At 18, he was offered a place at the Malayan Teachers College, Wolverhampton, England, where he furthered his education. An artist at heart, he also played the guitar and enjoyed strength training. On returning to Malaysia, he became an English teacher, serving first at Alor Gajah Secondary School, Melaka, then at Tanah Merah Secondary School, Kelantan in 1965, and later at Ketari National Secondary School, Bentong, Pahang in 1966, where he eventually settled.

Known for his integrity and strong sense of justice, Haji Jamaludin often stood up against local bullies and criminal groups. His fearless nature sometimes led to him being transferred between states, which he later recalled with humour, joking that perhaps he should have joined the police. His discipline, skill, and courage later led to service in support of the Malaysian government, where he developed special operations military expertise in close-quarter combat, sniping, and jungle operations.

While in Pahang, he began actively teaching Silat Sendeng, including to the first group of the Special Operations Commando Regiment Intelligence Unit in Bentong. Alongside his teacher, Guru Haji Hamid, he also provided training to the elite 21 Gerak Khas. Though many of his military operations remain classified, he was known for his effectiveness in close-quarter encounters and long-range counterinsurgency engagements. Despite his experience, he would often reflect somberly: “War is not a good thing. Men killing men.”

To balance his warrior’s path, he immersed himself in spiritual practice, including meditation and Sufi esotericism (tasawwuf). He was devoted to Friday prayers, Quranic study, and night prayers (tahajjud). His wife, whom he lovingly called Maa, was an expert in Quranic recitation, and together they embodied a life of faith and discipline. He encouraged his students to develop not only martial skill but also inner character — to be compassionate and just, yet never tolerate dishonesty or oppression. 

In 1991, he was elected President of the Malaysian Silat Sendeng Art Organization, uniting teachers and students under the movement founded by Guru Haji Abd Hamid. To preserve the original combative essence of the art, however, he later established the branch known as Seni Silat Sendeng Haji Hamid. In Malaysia, this branch is now led by his eldest son, Abang Sidek, alongside Badli Shah, under the overall guidance of the son of Guru Haji Hamid, namely Guru Haji Ahmad (aka Haji Attan) bin Haji Hamza bin Haji Hassan (Pendekar). Outside Malaysia, the lineage is carried on by Guru Haji Jamaludin his chosen disciple, Guru Abbas Hussain, whom he officially authorised in 2012 to represent the art internationally.

A skilled bladesmith, Haji Jamaludin crafted swords and traditional weapons that attracted martial artists from across Malaysia. In August 2007, he was visited by Hollywood martial artist Jason Scott Lee (nephew of Bruce Lee and cousin of Brandon Lee) in Janda Baik, Bentong, Pahang. Enthusiastic about their meeting, he demonstrated Silat Sendeng techniques and weapons, including the kerambit and tekpi. Their encounter was recorded and can still be viewed online in Jason Scott Lee Learns Silat Sendeng (Part 1 & 2).

Haji Jamaludin was frequently featured in Malaysian magazines and articles, celebrated for his combat skills and dedication to the warrior traditions of the Malay people. Even at the age of 73, he remained active. In July 2016, he passed away after suffering a stroke, still teaching his beloved Silat Sendeng until his final day.

His ultimate wish was for Silat Sendeng to remain pure, uncompromised, and rooted in its original teachings — focusing on regular practice, the cultivation of internal power, and the development of good character. He hoped the Malay people would preserve the heritage and warrior spirit of silat. Today, Guru Jamaludins’ legacy lives on through his sons in Malaysia and Guru Abbas (his adopted son) internationally, carrying forward the lineage of Seni Silat Sendeng Haji Hamid.

Al-Fatiha.