24th JULY 2021, MALAYSIA – The Malaysian Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), also known as “MTF”, successfully conducted its 1st Annual General Meeting (AGM) today. Although Malaysia is battling with extended lockdown and escalated COVID-19 cases up to 15,000 a day, it didn’t stop MTF from conducting the AGM via Zoom Meeting. A total of 61 individuals from MTF’s affiliate & allied members and a few invited observers attended the meeting.
Despite the various challenges and limitations of online events, the MTF Secretariat led by Sabum Hj Saiful Nizam conducted the AGM systematically with minimal glitches, including voting the motions & electing the committee members through the electronic polling feature. The meeting attendees also showed high commitment and discipline by fulfilling the meeting’s quorum and protocol.
One of the motions approved during the AGM was to invite Grand Master Low Koon Lim as the first Honorary Member of the MTF. An important fact to note is that Grand Master Low Koon Lim was General Choi’s 1st student in Malaysia.
“One day a young man named Low Koon Lin came to my office and asked, ‘What is the exercise you practice?”
General Choi in Taekwon‑Do and I: 2 The Vision of Exile, p.26
In 1989, General Choi awarded Grand Master Low Koon Lin the 7th degree, making him the first Malaysian ITF Taekwon‑Do Master. He was later awarded the 8th degree in 1996 by General Choi again to recognise his dedication and contribution to Taekwon‑Do.
“…and my most loyal and dedicated pupil, Low Koon Lin,….”
Gen. Choi Hong Hi 2nd Malaysian Taekwon-Do Federation Championship 9th May 1978
As known to many, Malaysia holds a special place in the history of Taekwon-Do. Besides being 1 of the 9 founding members of the ITF in 1966, it was also the place where General Choi created 16 out of the 24 patterns when he was the Korean Ambassador to Malaysia (1962-1964).
Another fact to note is Malaysian Taekwon-Do Federation was the first Taekwon-Do establishment in Malaysia back in 1963 before a change of administration in 1986. In 2020, the name was re-registered under the leadership of Senior Master Najmi Abdullah to commemorate the legacy of Gen. Choi & Grand Master Low Koon Lim.
Besides that, Mr Abdul Qadir Aros, a chartered accountant in Malaysia, also attended the AGM as an observer. He commended the efficiency of the meeting and expressed his satisfaction over the highly structured and transparent financial statements presented by Sabum Jayasilen.
After tabling and approving the motions, the pro-temp committee was dissolved. Then, the MTF new committee was voted democratically by the 12 state affiliates. Following are the elected committee members for the 2021/2023 term:
The elected MTF’s president for 2021/2023, Senior Master Najmi, was one of the pioneers of Malaysian Taekwon-Do who started training in 1969 under Grand Master Young Ku Yun. Then, he was coached by Mr Christopher Lai from 1972-1973 and later by Mr T. Thomas in 1977.
In his closing remarks, Senior Master Najmi mentioned he is proud of both seniors & young talents with strong academic and professional backgrounds in the committee. He hopes this new committee will continue to be committed to the advancement of ITF Taekwon-Do in Malaysia
Tips to keep #38: Grand Master Frank Vanberghen
