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[edit]

By Malaysian state[edit]

Academicians[edit]

Architects[edit]

Artists[edit]

Businesspeople[edit]

Tan Hiok Nee (1827–1902)
Chung Keng Quee (1827–1901)
Foo Choo Choon (1860–1921)
Tan Chay Yan (1870–1916)
Cheah Cheang Lim (1875–1948)
Loh Boon Siew (1915–1995)
Lim Goh Tong (1918–2007)
Choong Chin Liang (1920–1998)
Robert Kuok (born 1923)
Teh Hong Piow (1930–2022)
Ananda Krishnan (born 1938)
Azman Hashim (born 1938)
Quek Leng Chan (born 1941)
Jeffrey Cheah Fook Ling
Vincent Tan Chee Yioun (born 1952)
Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary (born 1956)
Lim Kok Thay (born 1951)
Tony Fernandes (born 1964)
William Cheng
Shoba Purushothaman
Shah Hakim Zain
Halim Saad
Saleh Sulong
Lillian Too (born 1946)
Yeoh Tiong Lay (1929–2017)
Francis Yeoh
Daim Zainuddin (born 1938)
Kong Hon Kong
Armin Baniaz Pahamin
Ramly bin Mokni

Designers[edit]

Zang Toi (born 1961), fashion designer, won the Mouton-Cadet Young Designers Award in 1991, was awarded the title of Datuk by the King of Malaysia in 2013
Jimmy Choo (born 1961), shoe designer, best known for co-founding Jimmy Choo Ltd, which became known for its handmade women's shoes
Bernard Chandran, fashion designer

Inventors[edit]

Yi Ren Ng, inventor of the Lytro

Entertainers[edit]

Michelle Yeoh, (born 1962) Malaysian actress
Ah Niu (born 1976), Malaysian singer
Angelica Lee (born 1976), Malaysian film actress and pop singer
Imee Ooi
Shila Amzah (born 1990), Malaysian singer-songwriter
Gary Chaw (born 1979), Malaysian singer-songwriter
Joyce Chu (born 1997), Malaysian singer-songwriter
Yasmin Ahmad (1958–2009), film director
Stacy Angie (born 1990)
Francissca Peter (born 1961)
Jamal Abdillah (born 1959)
Sudirman Arshad (1954–1992)
Loganathan Arumugam (1953–2007)
David Arumugam, founding member of the Alleycats
Awal Ashaari (born 1981)
Alvin Anthons (born 1976)
Asmawi bin Ani (born 1981)
Ahmad Azhar (born 1968)
Ning Baizura (born 1975)
Kasma Booty (died 2007)
Ella (born 1966)
Elyana (born 1987), Malaysian singer and actress
Erra Fazira (born 1974)
Sean Ghazi (born 1969)
Fauziah Latiff (born 1970)
Daniel Lee Chee Hun (born 1983)
Sheila Majid (born 1965)
Amy Mastura (born 1971)
Meor Aziddin Yusof (born 1967)
Dayang Nurfaizah (born 1981)
Shanon Shah (born 1978)
Mohd Taufik Nordin (born 1979)
Siti Nurhaliza (born 1979)
Hani Mohsin (1965–2006)
Aziz M. Osman (born 1962)
Azmyl Yunor (born 1977)
P. Ramlee (1929–1973)
Aziz Sattar (1925–2014)
Fasha Sandha (born 1984)
Aznil Nawawi (born 1962) Malaysian TV host
Din Beramboi (1966–2010)
Nicholas Teo (born 1981)
Pete Teo (born 1972)
Penny Tai (born 1978)
Hannah Tan (born 1981)
Ho Yuhang (born 1971)
Jaclyn Victor (born 1978) Malaysian singer
Scha Alyahya (born 1983)
Shock System
Fazura (born 1983)
Lisa Surihani (born 1986)
Chef Wan (born 1958)
Adira Suhaimi (born 1991)
Michael Wong (born 1970)
Victor Wong (born 1972)
Ziana Zain (born 1968)
Zee Avi (born 1985)
Yuna (born 1986)
Zamil Idris (born 1978)
Neelofa (born 1989)
Namewee (born 1983)
Fish Leong (born 1978)
Iqram Dinzly (born 1981)
Aedy Ashraf (born 1993)
Emma Maembong (born 1992)
Sharifah Aryana (born 1995)
Juzzthin (born 1990)
Hairul Azreen (born 1988)
Amar Asyraf (born 1986)
Fadlan Hazim (born 1992)
Alif Satar (born 1990)
Hafidz Roshdi (born 1994)
Shukri Yahaya (born 1988)
Johan As'ari (born 1986)
Beto Kusyairy (born 1980)
Tomok (born 1984)
Syafiq Yusof (born 1992) Malaysian actor
Syamsul Yusof (born 1984)
Syazwan Zulkifly (born 1987)
Zhang Yaodong (born 1977)
Chen Hanwei (born 1969)
Shaun Chen (born 1978)
Christopher Lee (born 1971)
Lawrence Wong (born 1988)
Zen Chong (born 1978)
Ronny Chieng (born 1985)
Janna Nick (born 1995) Malaysian singer
Faizal Tahir (born 1978) Malaysian singer and actor
Nina Nadira (born 1992) Malaysian singer
Izzue Islam (born 1990) Malaysian actor
Sweet Qismina (born 1997) Malaysian singer
Zalif Sidek (born 1985) Malaysian actor
Shuk Sahar (born 1986) Malaysian TV host
Nabil Ahmad (born 1983)
Zizan Razak (born 1984) Malaysian singer
Sufian Suhaimi (born 1992)
Ramona Zamzam (born 1990)
Hafiz Suip (born 1990)
Saharul Ridzwan (born 1989)
Aiman Hakim Ridza (born 1989)
Aizat Amdan (born 1989)
Jasmine Suraya Chin (born 1989)
Noh Salleh (born 1985)
Remy Ishak (born 1982) Malaysian actor
Edry Abdul Halim (born 1976)
Yusry Abdul Halim (born 1973)
Norman Abdul Halim (born 1972)

Military[edit]

Tan Kee Soon (1803–1857), warrior and leader of Ngee Heng Kongsi, ordered the 4,000 members of its brotherhood to relocate in Johor
Albert Kwok Fen Nam (1921–1944), warrior and leader of the "Kinabalu Guerrillas" against Japanese occupation
Leftenan Adnan (1915–1942), warrior from Malaya, who fought the Japanese at the Battle of Pasir Panjang in Singapore
Antanum, warrior from Sabah, Borneo
Rentap, warrior from Sarawak
Syarif Masahor, warrior from Sarawak
Monsopiad, warrior from Sabah, Borneo
Haji Abdul Rahman Limbong, warrior from Telemong, Terengganu
Mat Salleh, warrior from Sabah, Borneo
Rosli Dhobi, warrior from Sarawak

Sciences[edit]

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
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
Cheah Ming Tatt (born 1983), biologist specializing in immunology and genetics, a recipient of Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Future Scientists Fellowship for his work on RNA splicing
Shu Jie Lam, research chemist at University of Melbourne
Siti Aisyah Alias (born 1966), marine polar researcher and educator
Dr. I-Min Lee (born 1960) Epidemiologist, Harvard School of Public Health, leading researcher into the role of physical activity in promoting health and preventing chronic disease

Politicians[edit]

Parameswara, founder of Sultanate of Malacca
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, first Prime Minister of Malaya and Malaysia
Tun Leong Yew Koh, first Malacca Governor, only Chinese ever appointed as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri in Malaysia, co-founder and first Secretary-General of MCA
Colonel Tun Sir Henry Lee Hau Shik, first Finance Minister of the Federation of Malaya and co-founded the Malaysian Chinese Association and Alliance Party
Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock, founder and the first president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA)
Tun V. T. Sambanthan, founding fathers of Malaysia along with Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tan Cheng Lock
Tun Abdul Razak, second Prime Minister
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, fourth and seventh Prime Minister, father of Modernisation
Tun Haji Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, fifth Prime Minister
Najib Tun Razak, sixth Prime Minister
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, eighth prime minister
Tun Tan Siew Sin, first Minister of Commerce and Industry, Finance Minister for 15 years
Tun Dato' Seri Lim Chong Eu, Chief Minister of Penang from 1969 to 1990, was termed as the "Architect of Modern Penang"
Tun Dr. Lim Keng Yaik, one of the longest-serving ministers in the country and a highly revered statesman by the public
Tan Sri Dato' Lee San Choon, 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 Dato' Seri Ong Ka Ting, former Housing and Local Government Minister from 1999 to 2008 and Acting Transport Minister from May to June 2003
Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, Chief Minister of Penang from 1990 to 2008
Anwar Ibrahimtenth prime minister
Wan Hisham
Tan Sri Nik Aziz Nik Mat
Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin, Federal Territory and Urban Well-being Minister 2010
Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, 12th Deputy Prime Minister
Dato' Sri Utama Karpal Singh
Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang
Lim Guan Eng
Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah

Religious[edit]

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[edit]

Squash[edit]

Badminton[edit]

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
Vannee Gobi, women'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[edit]

Football (soccer)[edit]

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.
Chun Keng Hong, Penang FA, Chanthaburi 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
Kobe Jae Chong, West Bromwich Albion, Cagliari Calcio, Peterborough United, Telford United, Nuneaton Borough
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
Hugo Ng, Football South Australia U-14
Aiden Rawlins, Perth Glory
Dickson Phoon, Cockburn City SC
Kaveen Waran, Perth Glory
Nooa Laine, JJK Jyväskylä, Klubi 04, SJK Akatemia, SJK
Wan Kuzri, Saint Louis, Akron Zips, St. Charles FC
Zachary Chung, Auckland United

Retired[edit]

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[edit]

Others[edit]

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[edit]

Miscellaneous[edit]

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