Page 21 - Martial Science Magazine 2019 FEB DIG

1. For our readers could you tell us when and Poor family background so basic minimalist as
where were you born? insufficient to eat so got to fish, catch crabs
and search for clams to add food on the table.
Born 26 Sept 1959 in Johor Bahru (JB), Johore,
Malaysia. JB is situated in the Southern tip of 4. what was the public perception oF martial
peninsular Malaysia. Late father originated arts at that time?
from Hainan Island, China, and I’m considered
1st generation born to Malaysia. The Cantonese Association, Kwong Siew Wai
Kwan, started martial arts classes under late
2. could you give us a little Family back- Sigung Li Yong Thien in 1955. Back then it’s
ground? only people of the same dialect, that is each of
the main Chinese dialect here namely, Teochew,
Surname GOH, given name DOH LENG, last Hainanese, Hokkien, Cantonese, and Hakka,
born to late father Mr. GOH HOON PUI. Fami- take in students if only they are of the same
ly of five, two elder brothers and two elder sis- dialect.
ters. Three cousins were brought in to stay with The arts taught here, if I remember correctly,
us after their parents passed on. are;
- Cantonese has Hung Gar Kuen,
I’m the 44th generation of the GOH (WU in - Hokkien has A Shaolin master from Singapore
Mandarin) family from Hainan Island under our who was taught by a Shaolin master from Chi-
first ancestral surname of WU, Honourable WU na,
SIEN SIEW. His magnificent large grave stone - Teochew do not have martial arts then, it was
is still there and managed by the local govern- my senior who taught there in the 80’s,
ment. - Hainanese has Hainan Island Hung Gar kung
fu, characterized by very low horse stance,
3. what was your childhood like? - Hakka has their own but sadly cannot remem-
ber which.
Well protected, taught typical Chinese scru-
ples by strict and loving parents. Small by stat- Martial arts are known to be linked to secret
ure, no interest in any arts. Fishing, catching society, so many parents do not encourage chil-
crabs, kite making and flying, trapping of birds, dren to be involved in such activity unless their
catching spiders were the norms of young then. parents are in the association itself. These

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