The origin of the term lian padukan is uncertain. The word lian can either be translated as "game" or "way". Padukan is usually said to derive from paduka meaning royal because the art was originally only taught to palace guards and other nobility. Another theory is that it is a combination of the words pukulan (hit) and aduk (mix). Yet another theory is that it is a compound word meaning fortified strength.
The art of lian was brought to Southeast Asia by a Hui (Muslim Chinese) trader from Yunnan, China usually called Abdul Rahman Yunani. There are a few variations of his name. Some give him the title of Sheik, asserting that he was a missionary. Others precede his name with Syed claiming that he was half Arab, but such later details weren't present in the original story and had only been added during the Islamisation of the 1980s and 90s. While in Singapore, eight dock-workers attempted to mug Abdul Rahman but he defeated them easily. News of this incident reached the palace of nearby Johor and the royal bodyguard Awang Daik, a silat sendeng exponent, wished to test Abdul Rahman's skill. Knowing that he couldn't beat the Chinese trader by himself, Awang Daik asked his friend to accompany him. His friend was Pak Long Yasin, the Muar police chief and a practitioner of silat sunting. The two pendekar talked with Abdul Rahman and requested that he spar with them. After their repeated entreaties he agreed and fought the pair of them at once. Both Awang Daik and Pak Long were bested by the trader and became his students to redeem themselves.
