List of Malaysians explained
This is a list of Malaysians, people who are identified with Malaysia through residential, legal, historical or cultural means, grouped by their area of notability.
By ethnicity or place of origin
By Malaysian state
Academicians
- Afifi al-Akiti (born 1976), Islamic studies scholar
- Chin Liew Ten (born 1939), philosopher
- Danny Quah (born 1958), economist
- Jomo Kwame Sundaram (born 1952), economist
- Khoo Kay Kim (1937-2019), historian and academic
- Khasnor Johan (born 1968), author and historian
- Lee Poh Ping (1942-2016), political scientist
- Ungku Abdul Aziz (1922-2020), economist and Royal Professor
- Wang Gungwu (born 1930), historian, sinologist, and writer
- Wu Teh Yao (1915-1994), political scientist
Architects
See main article: List of Malaysian architects.
Artists
See main article: List of Malaysian artists.
Business People
- Armin Baniaz Pahamin (born 1974)
- Ananda Krishnan (born 1938), founder of Astro and Maxis
- Azman Hashim (born 1938), former chairman of the AmBank Group
- Chung Keng Quee (1827–1901), leader of the Hai San Secret Society in British Malaya
- Cheah Cheang Lim (1875–1948)
- Choong Chin Liang (1920–1998)
- Daim Zainuddin (born 1938), former Malaysian Minister of Finance
- Foo Choo Choon (1860–1921), Hakka tin miner and businessman
- Francis Yeoh (born 1954), executive chairman of YTL Corporation
- Halim Saad (born 1953)
- Jeffrey Cheah Fook Ling (born 1945), founder and chairman of the Sunway Group
- Kong Hon Kong (born 1954), founder of Nirvana Asia Group
- Loh Boon Siew (1915–1995), first distributor of Honda motorcycles in Malaysia
- Lim Goh Tong (1918–2007), founder of the Genting Group
- Lillian Too (born 1946)
- Lim Kok Thay (born 1951), chairman of the Genting Group
- Quek Leng Chan (born 1941), co-founder of the Hong Leong Group
- Robert Kuok (born 1923), founder and chairman of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, known as the 'Sugar King of Asia', and is the richest man in Malaysia as of 2024[1]
- Ramly bin Mokni, founder of the Ramly Group
- Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary (born 1951), founder of the Albukhary Foundation
- Shoba Purushothaman (born 1962)
- Saleh Sulong, former chairman of the DRB-HICOM Group
- Tan Hiok Nee (1827–1902), second leader of the Ngee Heng Kongsi of Johor
- Tan Chay Yan (1870–1916), the first rubber planter in Malaya
- Teh Hong Piow (1930–2022), founder of Public Bank Berhad
- Tony Fernandes (born 1964), group CEO of AirAsia
- Vincent Tan Chee Yioun (born 1952), founder of Berjaya Corporation Berhad
- William Cheng (born 1943), chairman and CEO of the Lion Group
- Yeoh Tiong Lay (1929–2017), founder of YTL Corporation
Designers
Inventors
Entertainers
- Aziz Sattar (1925–2014), Malaysian actor, singer, comedian, and director
- Aziz M. Osman (born 1962), Malaysian actor, director, screenwriter, and producer
- Aznil Nawawi (born 1962), Malaysian TV host, actor, and singer
- Ahmad Azhar (born 1968), Malaysian singer, musician, and actor
- Amy Mastura (born 1971), Malaysian singer and actress
- Ah Niu (born 1976), Malaysian singer
- Angelica Lee (born 1976), Malaysian film actress and pop singer
- Alvin Anthons (born 1976), Malaysian entertainer, actor, and singer
- Azmyl Yunor (born 1977), Malaysian singer-songwriter
- Awal Ashaari (born 1981), Malaysian actor, model, and TV host
- Asmawi bin Ani (born 1981), Malaysian actor, singer, director, and radio presenter
- Amar Asyraf (born 1986), Malaysian actor
- Aiman Hakim Ridza (born 1989), Malaysian actor and singer
- Aizat Amdan (born 1989), Malaysian singer-songwriter
- Alif Satar (born 1990), Malaysian actor, singer, and TV host
- Adira Suhaimi (born 1991), Malaysian singer
- Aedy Ashraf (born 1993), Malaysian actor
- Beto Kusyairy (born 1980), Malaysian actor
- Chef Wan (born 1958), Malaysian chef and TV personality
- Chen Hanwei (born 1969), Malaysian actor and TV host
- Christopher Lee (born 1971), Malaysian actor, TV host, and businessman
- David Arumugam (born 1950), founding member of the Alleycats, Malaysian musician and singer
- Din Beramboi (1966–2010), Malaysian comedian, actor, and radio DJ
- Dayang Nurfaizah (born 1981), Malaysian singer and actress
- Daniel Lee Chee Hun (born 1983), Malaysian singer
- Ella (born 1966), Malaysian musician, singer, actress, model, and entrepreneur
- Erra Fazira (born 1974), Malaysian actress and singer
- Elyana (born 1987), Malaysian singer and actress
- Emma Maembong (born 1992), Malaysian actress and model
- Francissca Peter (born 1961), Malaysian actress and singer-songwriter
- Fauziah Latiff (born 1970), Malaysian singer and actress
- Faizal Tahir (born 1978), Malaysian singer-songwriter
- Fish Leong (born 1978), Malaysian singer-songwriter
- Fazura (born 1983), Malaysian actress, singer, and TV host
- Fasha Sandha (born 1984), Malaysian actress
- Fadlan Hazim (born 1992), Malaysian actor, singer, and model
- Gary Chaw (born 1979), Malaysian singer-songwriter
- Hani Mohsin (1965–2006), Malaysian actor, host, and producer
- Hannah Tan (born 1981), Malaysian singer and television personality
- Hairul Azreen (born 1988), Malaysian actor and film director
- Hafiz Suip (born 1990), Malaysian singer
- Hafidz Roshdi (born 1994), Malaysian actor and model
- Imee Ooi (born 1964), Malaysian composer and singer
- Iqram Dinzly (born 1981), Malaysian actor and TV host
- Izzue Islam (born 1990), Malaysian actor, singer, and TV host
- Jamal Abdillah (born 1959), Malaysian actor and pop singer
- Jaclyn Victor (born 1978), Malaysian singer, actress, and businesswoman
- Johan As'ari (born 1986), Malaysian actor
- Jasmine Suraya Chin (born 1989), Malaysian TV host and actress
- Juzzthin (born 1990), Malaysian actor and rapper
- Janna Nick (born 1995), Malaysian actress and singer
- Joyce Chu (born 1997), Malaysian singer-songwriter
- Kasma Booty (1932-2007), Malaysian actress
- Loganathan Arumugam (1953–2007), Malaysian musician and singer
- Lisa Surihani (born 1986), Malaysian actress, model, and TV host
- Lawrence Wong (born 1988), Malaysian actor
- Michelle Yeoh (born 1962), Malaysian actress
- Meor Yusof Aziddin (1967-2021), Malaysian singer-songwriter
- Michael Wong (born 1970), Malaysian singer and composer
- Mohd Taufik Nordin (born 1979), Malaysian composer and singer
- Norman Abdul Halim (born 1972), member of KRU (1992-2018)
- Ning Baizura (born 1975), Malaysian actress and singer
- Nicholas Teo (born 1981), Malaysian singer
- Nabil Ahmad (born 1983), Malaysian actor, comedian, and entertainer
- Namewee (born 1983), Malaysian artist, composer, filmmaker, and actor
- Noh Salleh (born 1985), Malaysian singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer
- Neelofa (born 1989), Malaysian actress, TV host, model, and entrepreneur
- Nina Nadira (born 1992), Malaysian singer and TV host
- P. Ramlee (1929–1973), Malaysian singer-songwriter, actor, film director, musician, and composer
- Pete Teo (born 1972), Malaysian singer-songwriter, filmmaker, and actor
- Penny Tai (born 1978), Malaysian singer-songwriter, producer, and director
- Remy Ishak (born 1982), Malaysian actor
- Ronny Chieng (born 1985), Malaysian actor and comedian
- Ramona Zamzam (born 1990), Malaysian actress
- Sudirman Arshad (1954–1992), Malaysian singer-songwriter
- Sheila Majid (born 1965), Malaysian singer
- Sean Ghazi (born 1969), Malaysian actor, singer, and dancer
- Shanon Shah (born 1978), Malaysian singer-songwriter, playwright, and journalist
- Shaun Chen (born 1978), Malaysian actor, TV host, and former national badminton player
- Siti Nurhaliza (born 1979), Malaysian singer-songwriter, actress, and businesswoman
- Scha Al-yahya (born 1983), Malaysian model, actress, and TV host
- Syamsul Yusof (born 1984), Malaysian actor, film director, producer, writer, and singer
- Shuk Sahar (born 1986), Malaysian actor, comedian, and TV host
- Syazwan Zulkifly (born 1987), Malaysian actor
- Shukri Yahaya (born 1988), Malaysian actor and director
- Saharul Ridzwan (born 1989), Malaysian actor and model
- Shila Amzah (born 1990), Malaysian singer-songwriter
- Stacy Angie (born 1990), Malaysian singer
- Syafiq Yusof (born 1992), Malaysian film director
- Sufian Suhaimi (born 1992), Malaysian singer
- Sharifah Aryana (born 1995), Malaysian actress
- Sweet Qismina (born 1997), Malaysian actress
- Shock System (2000-2008), Malaysian rock band
- Tomok (born 1984), Malaysian singer
- Victor Wong (born 1972), Malaysian singer
- Yasmin Ahmad (1958 - 2009), Malaysian film director
- Yusry Abdul Halim (born 1973), member of KRU (1992-2018)
- Yuna (born 1986), Malaysian singer-songwriter
- Ziana Zain (born 1968), Malaysian singer and actress
- Zhang Yaodong (born 1977), Malaysian actor and businessman
- Zamil Idris (born 1978), Malaysian singer, TV host, and actor
- Zen Chong (born 1978), Malaysian actor
- Zizan Razak (born 1984), Malaysian singer, comedian, and actor
- Zee Avi (born 1985), Malaysian singer-songwriter and musician
- Zalif Sidek (born 1985), Malaysian actor and comedian
Military
- Abdul Hadi Abdul Khattab (born 1952 or 1953), former armed forces General
- Albert Kwok Fen Nam (1921–1944), warrior and leader of the "Kinabalu Guerrillas" against the Japanese occupation in Borneo
- Antanum, Murut warrior from North Borneo
- Haji Abdul Rahman Limbong, warrior from Telemong, Terengganu
- Leftenan Adnan bin Saidi (1915–1942), warrior from Malaya, who fought the Japanese at the Battle of Pasir Panjang in Singapore
- Mat Salleh, warrior from Sabah, Borneo
- Monsopiad, Kadazan-Dusun warrior from Sabah, Borneo
- Rentap, Iban warrior from Sarawak
- Rosli Dhobi, warrior from Sibu, Sarawak
- Syarif Masahor, warrior from Sarikei, Sarawak
- Tan Kee Soon (1803–1857), warrior and leader of the Ngee Heng Kongsi who ordered 4,000 members of its brotherhood to relocate to Johor
Sciences
Politicians
- Anwar Ibrahim (born 1947), tenth Prime Minister of Malaysia
- Colonel Tun Sir Henry Lee Hau Shik (1900-1988), first Finance Minister of the Federation of Malaya and co-founded the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA)
- Dato' Sri Utama Karpal Singh (1940-2014), politician and lawyer
- Lim Guan Eng (born 1960), politician and member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly
- Najib Tun Razak (born 1953), sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia
- Parameswara of Malacca (1344-1414), founder of the Malacca Sultanate
- Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin (born 1953), former Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Well-being
- Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock (1883-1960), founder and the first president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA)
- Tun Leong Yew Koh (1888-1963), first Governor of Malacca, is the only Chinese ever appointed as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri in Malaysia, is the co-founder and first Secretary-General of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA)
- Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj (1903-1990), first Prime Minister of Malaya and Malaysia and is known as the country's "Father of Independence"
- Tun Tan Siew Sin (1916-1988), Malaysia's first Minister of Commerce and Industry and was Malaysia's Minister of Finance for 15 years
- Tun V. T. Sambanthan (1919-1979), is one of Malaysia's founding fathers alongside Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tan Cheng Lock
- Tun Dato' Seri Lim Chong Eu (1919-2010), Chief Minister of Penang from 1969 to 1990, was termed as the "Architect of Modern Penang"
- Tun Abdul Razak Hussein (1922-1976), second Prime Minister of Malaysia and is known as Malaysia's "Father of Development"
- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (born 1925), fourth and seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia and is known as Malaysia's "Father of Modernisation"
- Tan Sri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat (1931-2015), former Chief Minister of Kelantan
- Tan Sri Dato' Lee San Choon (1935-2023), held various ministerial posts in the cabinet from 1969 to 1983, such as Labour and Manpower Minister, Works and Public Utilities Minister, as well as Transport Minister
- Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (born 1937), longest serving member of parliament in Malaysia
- Tun Haji Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (born 1939), fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia
- Tun Dr. Lim Keng Yaik (1939-2012), former Minister of Energy, Water, and Communications, was one of the longest-serving ministers in the country, and was the third president of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia
- Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang (born 1941), longest serving leader of the opposition and second longest serving member of parliament in Malaysia
- Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (born 1947), eighth Prime Minister of Malaysia
- Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon (born 1949), Chief Minister of Penang from 1990 to 2008
- Tan Sri Dato' Seri Ong Ka Ting (born 1956), former Housing and Local Government Minister from 1999 to 2008 and Acting Transport Minister from May to June 2003
- Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (born 1952), 12th Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development
- Wan Hisham (born 1956), was a member of the Terengganu State Executive Council
Religious
- Ven. Dr. Kirinde Sri Dhammananda Nāyaka Thero, Buddhist monk and scholar, often regarded as Chief High Priest of Malaysia and Singapore
- Ven. Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana, Buddhist monk and instrumental in setting up Ti-Ratana Welfare Society
- Ven. K. L. Dhammajoti, Buddhist monk, one of the leading scholars on 'Sarvastivada Abhidharma' and is well known in the world of Buddhist scholarship
- Ven. Sujiva, well-known teacher of Vipassana in the Theravāda Buddhist Tradition
- Ven. Chi Chern, well-known Buddhist monk and principal of the Malaysian Buddhist Institute.
- Antony Selvanayagam, Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Penang
- Anthony Soter Fernandez, Archbishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, and Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Penang
- Gregory Yong (1925–2008), Second Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore
- Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam, Metropolitan archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei; and publisher of the Catholic weekly newspaper, The Herald
- Ng Moon Hing, fourth and current Anglican Bishop of West Malaysia
Sportspeople
Squash
Badminton
- Lee Zii Jia, men's singles
- Ng Tze Yong, men's singles
- Cheam June Wei, men's singles
- Yeoh Seng Zoe, men's singles
- Lim Chi Wing, men's singles
- Soong Joo Ven, men's singles
- Lim Chong King, men's singles
- Aidil Sholeh, men's singles
- Lee Shun Yang, men's singles
- Justin Hoh, men's singles
- Kok Jing Hong, men's singles
- Goh Jin Wei, women's singles
- Myisha Mohd Khairul, women's singles
- Siti Nurshuhaini, women's singles
- Eoon Qi Xuan, women's singles
- Aaron Chia, men's doubles
- Soh Wooi Yik, men's doubles
- Man Wei Chong, men's doubles
- Tee Kai Wun, men's doubles
- Lim Khim Wah, men's doubles
- Nur Izzuddin, men's doubles
- Junaidi Arif, men's doubles
- Muhammad Haikal, men's doubles
- Tan Kian Meng, men's doubles
- Tan Wee Kiong, men's doubles
- Goh Sze Fei, men's doubles
- Goh V Shem, men's doubles
- Boon Xin Yuan, men's doubles
- Wong Tien Ci, men's doubles
- Ong Yew Sin, men's doubles
- Teo Ee Yi, men's doubles
- Yap Roy King, men's doubles
- Low Hang Yee, men's doubles
- Teoh Mei Xing, women's doubles
- Pearly Tan, women's doubles
- Thinaah Muralitharan, women's doubles
- Vivian Hoo, women's doubles
- Lim Chiew Sien, women's doubles
- Yap Rui Chen, women's doubles
- Low Yeen Yuan, women's doubles
- Valeree Siow, women's doubles
- Chan Peng Soon, mixed doubles
- Cheah Yee See, mixed doubles
- Goh Soon Huat, mixed doubles
- Shevon Lai, mixed doubles
- Hoo Pang Ron, mixed doubles
- Lai Pei Jing, mixed doubles
Retired
Football (soccer)
- Samransak Kram, Perlis FA and former Malaysian player
- Manopsak Kram, Pos Malaysia FC
- Brendan Gan, Sydney FC, Sabah, Kelantan, Selangor
- Hattaphon Bun An, M3 League club, Langkawi Glory United.
- Matthew Davies, Perth Glory, Sri Pahang FC, Johor Darul Ta'zim
- Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic
- Akmal Rizal, Perak F.C., Kedah Darul Aman F.C., RC Strasbourg, FCSR Haguenau
- Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Perak, Negeri Sembilan,Kelantan, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Armed Forces F.C., Terengganu, FELDA United, Sri Pahang, BG Pathum United, Sarawak United, Melaka F.C., Harini
- Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Kelantan F.C.
- Mohd Safiq Rahim, Selangor, Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C.
- Mohd Fadzli Saari, Selangor FA, PBDKT T-Team FC, SV Wehen
- Rudie Ramli, Selangor FA, PKNS F.C., SV Wehen
- Mohd Safee Mohd Sali, Sarawak FA, Selangor F.C., Pelita Jaya, Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C.
- Baddrol Bakhtiar, Kedah FA
- Mohd Khyril Muhymeen Zambri, Kedah Darul Aman F.C.
- Mohd Azmi Muslim, Kedah FA
- Mohd Fadhli Mohd Shas, Harimau Muda A, FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce, Johor Darul Ta'zim
- Mohd Irfan Fazail, Harimau Muda A, FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Sabah
- Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor, Harimau Muda A, FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce, F.C. Ryūkyū, Kelantan, FELDA United, Selangor, Perak
- Nazirul Naim Che Hashim, Harimau Muda A, F.C. Ryūkyū, Perak, Sabah
- Khairul Izuan Rosli, Sarawak United, Persibo Bojonegoro, PDRM
- Stanley Bernard Stephen Samuel, Sabah, Sporting Clube de Goa
- Nazmi Faiz, Harimau Muda A, SC Beira Mar, PKNS F.C., Selangor, Johor Darul Ta'zim
- Ahmad Fakri Saarani, Perlis United, Atlético S.C., Kelantan, Kedah Darul Aman
- Zafuan Azeman, Kedah Darul Aman, Perlis United, Angthong, Kelantan United, Penang, Uthai Thani
- Richard Chin, Charlton Athletic
- Wan Kuzain, Saint Louis FC, Sporting Kansas City II, Sporting Kansas City, Rio Grande Valley FC, St. Louis City SC
- Quentin Cheng, North Shore Mariners, Central Coast Mariners, Sutherland Sharks, Penang, Selangor*Luqman Hakim Shamsudin, Selangor II, K.V. Kortrijk, Njardvik, YSCC Yokohama
- Arif Aiman Hanapi, Johor Darul Ta'zim, FC Seoul
- Fergus Tierney, Johor Darul Ta'zim
- Annil Vigneswaran, AFC Ajax, SGV Freiberg, SV Sandhausen, Freiburger FC
- Safawi Rasid, Terengganu II, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Portimonense S.C., Ratchaburi, Persib Bandung
- Nooa Laine, JJK Jyväskylä, Klubi 04, SJK Akatemia, SJK
- Wan Kuzri, Saint Louis, Akron Zips, St. Charles FC
Retired
Racing
Others
Writers
See main article: List of Malaysian writers and List of Malaysian women writers.
Miscellaneous
- Anwar Fazal, consumer, environmental activist, health advocate
- Irene Fernandez, prominent Malaysian human rights activist
- Lat, famous cartoonist
- Norman Musa (born 1974), chef/restaurateur
- Yong Mun Sen (1896–1962), pioneer artist, father of Malaysian paintings
- Ling Tan (born 1974), international fashion model
- Noor Hisham Abdullah, director general of health
Notes and References
- Web site: Karmali . Naazneen . Ho . Jane . Malaysia’s 50 Richest 2024 . 2024-07-10 . Forbes . en.
