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

By Malaysian state

Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Kuala Lumpur
Malacca
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^[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

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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

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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

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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

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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
Michael Wong, Auckland United

Retired

Serbegeth Singh, owner/founder of MyTeam, Blackburn Rovers F.C. (global advisor)
Mokhtar Dahari, former Selangor FA and Malaysian player
Lim Teong Kim, former Hertha BSC player
Matlan Marjan, former Sabah FA and Malaysian player
Soh Chin Aun, former Selangor FA and Malaysian player
Khairul Azman Mohamed, former Pahang FA, Sabah FA and Malaysian player

Racing

Chess

Mas Hafizulhelmi, International Master, 2-time National Champion
Lim Zhuo Ren, FIDE Master, 2-time National Champion
Puteri Munajjah Az-Zahraa Azhar, Woman International Master, 2-time Women's National Champion
Yeoh Li Tian, International Master, Malaysian No.1 (as of January 2025), 2-time National Champion

Others

Pandelela Rinong (born 1993), platform diving
Jupha Somnet, (born 1993), track cyclist
Shah Firdaus Sahrom (born 1995), track cyclist
M. Magendran (born 1963), mountain climber, first Malaysian to conquer the summit of Mount Everest (1997)
Azizulhasni Awang (born 1988), track cyclist

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

References

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