Training was done in private houses, in small groups of no more than five persons. Therefore pencak silat self-defence activities were closely scrutinised as they were suspected to be the front for political activities, and had to go underground. Training in pencak silat provided youths the strength, confidence and courage needed to resist the Dutch colonialists. The colonial intelligence apparatus (PID) kept a close eye on all activities and organisations considered to be potentially in opposition to Dutch control.
Following several incidents of mass uprising in the 1920s and the declaration of the Youth Pledge on Octoin Batavia, the colonial government tightened and expanded its control over youth activities, pencak silat included.
The growing spirit of nationalism within pencak silat circles echoed the intensification of efforts to realise 'One Country, one Nation, one Language' in the archipelago.
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