[VIDEO] Malaysia’s Ip Man, Kahar Saidun breaks cultural barriers

KUALA LUMPUR – Wing Chun – a traditional Chinese martial art created by Shaolin kung fu master Ng Mui, who was also a Buddhist nun – found its roots in southern China during the Qing Dynasty about 300 years ago.

These days, people from all walks of life tend to associate Wing Chun with Hong Kong grandmaster Ip Man and the legendary Bruce Lee.

Known as one of the most effective martial arts in the world as it focuses on the power of relaxation instead of force, Wing Chun was introduced to Malaya in 1918 by grandmaster Yip Kin, the founder of Yip Kin Wing Choon Kuen, when he migrated here at the age of 35.

In Malaysia, we too have our very own Wing Chun master.

Known as the “Ip Man Melayu (Malay Ip Man)”, Kahar Saidun has been practising Wing Chun since 1991 when he was only 18 years old.

“I was bullied in school, and that led me to seek advice from my (late) father on how to face the bullies. 

“My father Saidun Jasmon was a Javanese silat grandmaster. Although he was a master of silat, he encouraged me to learn and engage in a different culture’s martial art.

“He was the one who told me to pick up Wing Chun,” said the petite 150cm-tall gentleman in an exclusive interview with The Vibes Sports and Fitness in conjunction with International Wing Chun Day.

According to him, Wing Chun is not a very challenging martial art, despite many people believing otherwise.

Kahar reiterated that it is compact, direct, and simple, using the least amount of strength, and can be learnt by all levels of society. 

However, it takes much determination to learn and master it, he added.

Kahar, now 49 years old, is one of three masters who have taught the martial art in Persatuan Tinju Wing Chun Kuala Lumpur since early 2000.

Persatuan Tinju Wing Chun Kuala Lumpur is the oldest Wing Chun martial arts school and association in Malaysia, established in 1924. It was formally registered in 1960.

Upon picking up Wing Chun, Kahar was under the wings of master Yip Fook Choy, the grandson of the founder.

According to Kahar, Yip also taught him to perform the lion dance. 

“I performed the lion dance for 10 years together with my sifu (Yip) and my colleagues in the kung fu group. 

“I am not a master of the lion dance. I did not go towards mastery of the lion dance because it has elements of prayers and blessings in it.

“So I only participate in portions that involve performance,” he explained.

When asked whether he felt out of place when dabbling in Wing Chun three decades ago, he said that there should be no such barriers in a multicultural society like Malaysia.

“Even though race, religion, and culture are important concepts that shape social institutions, individuals, groups, and a nation, it should never be a problem for us to learn from each other.

“Those people who think otherwise actually need to grow up.

“Malaysians need to realise that Malaysia is not just for a specific race. We need each other to live and achieve greater things for the country,” he said.  – The Vibes, March 17, 2023