In the bustling alleyways of Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur’s historic Chinatown, lies a unique martial heritage that dates back to pre-independence Malaya. Known today as Short Bridge Choy Lee Fut (短桥蔡李佛), this specialized variant of the renowned Southern Chinese martial art preserves rare, compact hand routines and specialized weapons passed down through strict generational privacy.
As narrated by Sifu Yap Say Nee (葉世年師傅), this article explores the history, secret transmissions, and classical curriculum of this historic lineage.
Part 1: History & Transmission Lineage
The history of Short Bridge Choy Lee Fut in Kuala Lumpur begins during the British colonial era with the founding of one of the city’s earliest martial associations and the meeting of two iconic masters.
1. The Selangor Kheng Thung Lok Benevolent Martial Arts Troupe
Established on May 12, 1935, during British colonial rule, the Selangor Kheng Thung Lok Benevolent Martial Arts Troupe (雪蘭莪庆同乐慈善國术团) was situated in Petaling Street, Chinatown. Grand Master Chang Choy (鄭才師傅) served as the lead instructor, teaching both classical Choy Lee Fut Fist (蔡李佛拳) and traditional Fut San lion dance (佛山醒狮).
2. The Private Transmission at Kampong Semarang
A practitioner named Sifu Yap Yew Chai (葉有財師傅) relocated from Gombak Lane to temporarily settle in a small attap village called Kampong Semarang. Joining Kheng Thung Lok, he became part of GM Chang Choy’s first generation of disciples.
Over time, Sifu Yap Yew Chai observed GM Chang Choy practicing unique, confidential routines late at night in a nearby lumber yard during weekends. Recognizing his dedication, GM Chang Choy privately imparted two specialized fist sets and one rare pole set to Sifu Yap under a strict vow: the routines were never to be irresponsibly disclosed or transferred to outside groups or clans.
Both GM Chang Choy and Sifu Yap Yew Chai later gained renowned stature as members of the legendary “Ten Masters of Kheng Thung Lok”.
3. Continuation Through Sifu Yap Say Nee
Sifu Yap Yew Chai’s son, Sifu Yap Say Nee (葉世年師傅), joined his father’s evening classes at age sixteen. After mastering the mandatory foundational 5 footworks and 10 arm conditioning drills, he learned the foundational routines before inheriting his father’s complete knowledge.
Sifu Yap Yew Chai and Sifu Yap Say Nee eventually left Kheng Thung Lok to establish the Hoong-Sang Martial Arts & Lion Dance Troupe (鸿生国术醒狮团). The troupe later merged into the adjacent Khiew Onn Club (侨安俱乐部) before formal classes ceased during the broader decline of traditional kung fu schools. Today, Sifu Yap Say Nee terms this inherited tradition Short Bridge Choy Lee Fut (短桥蔡李佛) and continues to preserve its core essence.
Demonstration: Classical Choy Lee Fut Dynamics
Watch: Exploration of traditional Choy Lee Fut‘s fundementals.
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Part 2: Technical Curriculum & Secret Routines
The syllabus taught under this lineage is divided into the secret routines passed down privately by GM Chang Choy, alongside the mid-1950s public curriculum taught at Kheng Thung Lok.
1. The Privately Transmitted Routines
These three special routines represent the pinnacle and secret methods of GM Chang Choy’s instruction to Sifu Yap Yew Chai:
- Little Flower Fist (小花拳): Considered the absolute essence and final chapter of all short-armed Choy Lee Fut martial techniques.
- Iron Fan Fist (铁扇拳): A closely guarded set that was once strictly forbidden from being shared across clans, as GM Chang Choy had historically taught or sold this piece to the manager of the Campbell Cabaret Night Club.
- Lee’s Clan “6 and a Half Pole” (李家六点半棍): Recognized as the unique, small-frame “8 Diagram Fishing Style Pole” set.
2. Standard Mid-1950s Curriculum
Unarmed Hand Forms (拳套)
- Basic Fist (基本拳): The mandatory entry-level form for all disciples.
- Tiger-Crane & Snake Fist (虎鹤蛇拳): Blends dynamic animal mechanics into close-range striking.
- Five Tigers Fist (五虎拳): Emphasizes heavy, aggressive forward combinations.
- Dragon Fist (龍拳): Focuses on fluid body whipping and internal energy flow.
- Double Butterfly Fist (双飞胡蝶拳): Features rapid, open-palm entries and continuous hand traps.
- Iron Lohan Fist (铁罗汉拳): Builds heavy forearm bridge strength and structural absorption.
- Shaolin Ming-Tang Fist Parts 1 & 2 (名堂拳-上小路): Two-part core Shaolin form series.
Weapons Arsenal (长短兵器)
- Uniform Eyebrows Pole (齐眉棍): The core long-staff routine matching eye-level height.
- Silk Tread Pole (线丝棍): Continuous, fluid staff deflection techniques.
- Willow-Leaf Sword (柳叶刀): Classical Southern broadsword techniques.
- Double Butterfly Sword (胡蝶双刀): Close-quarters twin-blade combat methods.
- Hoe Pole (锄头棍): Traditional agricultural tool adaptation for combat.
- Double Pumpkin Mace (双锤): Heavy double-hammer conditioning and strike patterns.
- Long Stool (长櫈): Practical bench manipulation set.
- Large Trident Staff (大扒): Heavy three-pronged weapon set.
- Spring-Autumn Long Broad Sword (春秋大关刀): Heavy Kwan Do broadsword routine.
Two-Person Paired Sparring Sets (對拆)
- Combination Sparring 1
- Combination Sparring 2
- Pole against Pole (棍對棍)
- Double Butterfly Sword against Pole (雙刀對棍)
🎥 Demonstration: Traditional Weapon & Hand Forms
Watch: Demonstration of close-range hand trapping, traditional weapons mechanics, and short-bridge applications.
Part 3: Cultural Legacy & Preservation
Short Bridge Choy Lee Fut reflects a unique era of Malayan martial arts history, where traditional clans and benevolent troupes served as vital hubs for physical conditioning, self-defense, and cultural heritage. Though many traditional schools faced decline in the late 20th century, Sifu Yap Say Nee continues to preserve the integrity and essence of this rare transmission for future generations.
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