List of Malaysians
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 == Malaysians of Malay descent Malaysians of Chinese descent Malaysians of Indian descent == By Malaysian state == Johor Kedah Kelantan Kuala Lumpur Melaka Negeri Sembilan Pahang Penang Perak Perlis Sabah Sarawak Selangor Terengganu Foreign-born Malaysians == 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 == == 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 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 Kazuki Foo (born 1990), founder and chariman of Brewspark Technologies Group == Designers == Bernard Chandran (born 1968), fashion designer Jimmy Choo (born 1961), shoe designer, best known for co-founding Jimmy Choo Ltd, which became known for its handmade women's shoes == Inventors == Yi Ren Ng (born 1979), founder and CEO of Lytro == 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 Nigel Ng (born 1991), Malaysian comedian of "Uncle Roger" fame 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 == Cheah Ming Tatt (born 1983), biologist specializing in immunology and genetics and a recipient of Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Future Scientists Fellowship for his work on RNA splicing I-Min Lee (born 1960), Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School; leading researcher in the role of physical activity in promoting health and preventing chronic disease Lim Boon Keng (1868–1957), first Malayan to receive a Queen's Scholarship, gained admission to the University of Edinburgh, and graduated in 1892 with a first class honours degree in medicine Shu Jie Lam, research chemist who specializes in biomolecular engineering at the University of Melbourne Siti Aisyah Alias (born 1966), marine polar researcher and educator Wu Lien-teh (1879–1960), a Malaysian physician renowned for his work in public health and the first Malayan nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1935 == 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.