The art of Lian was brought to Southeast Asia by a Muslim trader from Yunnan, China by the name Syed Abdul Rahman. Some give him the title of Sheik, asserting that he was a missionary originated from the Arab lands.
While in Singapore, eight dock-workers attempted to attack Syed Abdul Rahman but he defeated them easily. News of this incident reached the palace of nearby Johor and the royal bodyguard Awang Daik. He asked his friend to accompany him. His friend was Pak Long Mat Yasin, the Muar police chief. They were both respected silat practitioners of their respected styles and requested that Syed Abdul Rahman spar with them. After their repeated entreaties he agreed and fought the pair of them at once. Both Awang Daik and Pak Long Mat Yasin were overwhelmed by the trader’s skills and became his students to redeem themselves.
Singapore at the time was a British colony, and the island's small size made it too tightly-controlled for martial arts to be practiced openly. Instead, Syed Abdul Rahman was invited to teach in the Mersing district where Awang Daik was High Commissioner. He and Pak Long later completed their training and soon after which Syed Adbul Rahman left Mersing. His whereabouts are unknown but Awang Daik and Pak Long continued teaching Lian which became known as Buah Pukul Mersing.
Derivatives of this style were passed onto the descendents of those who learned it. As Buah Pukul Mersing spread outside the palace, its variations were known by several names including Lian Paduka, Gayang Lima and Senjata Lapan.
While in Singapore, eight dock-workers attempted to attack Syed Abdul Rahman but he defeated them easily. News of this incident reached the palace of nearby Johor and the royal bodyguard Awang Daik. He asked his friend to accompany him. His friend was Pak Long Mat Yasin, the Muar police chief. They were both respected silat practitioners of their respected styles and requested that Syed Abdul Rahman spar with them. After their repeated entreaties he agreed and fought the pair of them at once. Both Awang Daik and Pak Long Mat Yasin were overwhelmed by the trader’s skills and became his students to redeem themselves.
Singapore at the time was a British colony, and the island's small size made it too tightly-controlled for martial arts to be practiced openly. Instead, Syed Abdul Rahman was invited to teach in the Mersing district where Awang Daik was High Commissioner. He and Pak Long later completed their training and soon after which Syed Adbul Rahman left Mersing. His whereabouts are unknown but Awang Daik and Pak Long continued teaching Lian which became known as Buah Pukul Mersing.
Derivatives of this style were passed onto the descendents of those who learned it. As Buah Pukul Mersing spread outside the palace, its variations were known by several names including Lian Paduka, Gayang Lima and Senjata Lapan.