Famous Malaysian People

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 1 
Lee Chong Wei
(Malaysian Former Badminton Player and Three-Time Olympic Silver Medallist)
Lee Chong Wei
33
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 21, 1982
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bagan Serai
Malaysian former badminton player Datuk Lee Chong Wei held the first rank for 349 weeks as a singles player, thus becoming the only player from his country to be number one for over a year. He is a three-time Olympic silver medalist but quit the game after his cancer diagnosis.
 2 
Jimmy Choo
(Malaysian Fashion Designer and Co-Founder of ‘Jimmy Choo Ltd’)
Jimmy Choo
9
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: 1961 AD
Birthplace: George Town
While locked down in Malaysia during the COVID-19 crisis, luxury footwear designer Jimmy Choo came across the idea to open a fashion academy in London. Born to a modest shoemaker in Penang, Choo had mastered the art of shoe designing in London, where he later launched his eponymous shoe brand.
 3 
Lee Zii Jia
(Malaysian Professional Badminton Player)
Lee Zii Jia
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 29, 1998
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Alor Setar

Malaysian badminton player Lee Zii Jia has gold medals in the Asian Championships, the Asia Team Championships, and the Southeast Asian Games. He began his training in badminton at age 6 and later joined the Bukit Jalil Sports School. He made headlines when he was banned by the Badminton Association of Malaysia temporarily.

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 4 
Michelle Yeoh
(Malaysian Actress Known for Her Films: ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ and ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’)
Michelle Yeoh
47
Birthdate: August 6, 1962
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ipoh

The quintessential action heroine of the 1990s Hong Kong action films, Chinese-Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh gained international recognition after playing an important role in the 1997 James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies. In 2008, she was named the greatest action heroine of all time by Rotten Tomatoes. She is the only Asian named in People's 35 All-Time Screen Beauties list.

 5 
Henry Golding
(Actor)
Henry Golding
22
Birthdate: February 5, 1987
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Sarawak
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 6 
Mahathir Mohamad
(4th and 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia)
Mahathir Mohamad
22
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 10, 1925
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Alor Setar

Mahathir Mohamad is a Malaysian statesman, doctor, and author. He twice served as the prime minister of Malaysia and is widely regarded as one of the most popular Malaysian prime ministers of all time. Under his premiership, Malaysia underwent a period of rapid economic growth and modernization. Mahathir Mohamad is also credited with establishing strong foreign relations with many countries.

 7 
Nigel Ng
(Comedian)
Nigel Ng
11
Birthdate: March 15, 1991
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kuala Lumpur
 8 
Ronny Chieng
(Comedian)
Ronny Chieng
5
Birthdate: November 21, 1985
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Johor Bahru
 9 
Anwar Ibrahim
(Malaysian Politician)
Anwar Ibrahim
5
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: August 10, 1947
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bukit Mertajam

Anwar Ibrahim is a Malaysian politician who has served as Leader of the Opposition twice. Interested in politics from an early age, he joined the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) as a young man. He rose through the ranks to become the finance minister and the deputy prime minister. He is a controversial figure and has been jailed for sodomy.

 10 
Nicol David
(Malaysian Professional Squash Player Who Has Won the World Open Title Record Eight Times)
Nicol David
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 26, 1983
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Penang
Nicol David is a retired professional squash player. From 2006 to 2015, David held on to the world number one ranking for 108 consecutive months, which is a world record. She also won a record eight World Open titles. Regarded as the greatest women's squash player ever, Nicol David won a record nine Asian Squash Championships during her illustrious career.
 11 
James Wan
(Co-creator of the Saw and Insidious Franchises and the Creator of the Conjuring Universe)
James Wan
21
Birthdate: February 26, 1977
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kuching

James Wan is an Australian screenwriter, film director, comic book writer, and producer. He is credited with creating or co-creating the popular Insidious, Saw, and The Conjuring Universe franchises. An exponent of the horror genre, James Wan established the Atomic Monster Productions, which produces television and film projects. He is also one of the most successful filmmakers of his generation.

 12 
Michael Gough
(Actor)
Michael Gough
5
Birthdate: November 23, 1916
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kuala Lumpur
Died: March 27, 2011
 13 
Tunku Abdul Rahman
(1st Prime Minister of Malaysia)
Tunku Abdul Rahman
9
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 8, 1903
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Alor Setar
Died: December 6, 1990
Tunku Abdul Rahman was a Malaysian statesman who served as the first prime minister of Malaysia from 1957 to 1970. Before becoming the Malaysian prime minister, Tunku played an important role in the independence process that came to an end in 1957. Tunku Abdul Rahman is widely regarded as Malaysia's founding father for his role in the formation of Malaysia.
 14 
Claudia Wells
(Actress)
Claudia Wells
5
Birthdate: July 5, 1966
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kuala Lumpur
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
 15 
Tony Fernandes
(Entrepreneur)
Tony Fernandes
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: April 30, 1964
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kuala Lumpur

Tony Fernandes is a Malaysian entrepreneur best known as the founder of a popular air transport provider called Tune Air. He is credited with introducing the first low-cost airline, AirAsia, to Malaysians. Tony Fernandes is also credited with turning AirAsia into a highly successful public-listed company. 
 

 16 
Vincent Tan
(Malaysian Chinese Businessman, Investor and Founder of ‘Berjaya Corporation Berhad’)
Vincent Tan
6
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: 1952
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Batu Pahat

Vincent Tan is a Malaysian Chinese investor and businessman. He is credited with founding Berjaya Corporation Berhad, a Malaysia-based corporation that operates a wide range of businesses. In 2010, Tan was named in the Forbes' billionaire list. Also known for his philanthropic efforts, Vincent Tan founded the Better Malaysia Foundation, which grants scholarships and interest-free loans to students in need.

 17 
Robert Kuok
(Founder and chairman, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts)
Robert Kuok
3
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: October 6, 1923
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Johor Bahru
 18 
Poh Ling Yeow
(Chef & Actress Known for Hosting Her Own Cooking Series on ABC Entitled 'Poh’s Kitchen')
Poh Ling Yeow
3
Listed In: Food Experts
Birthdate: 1973 AD
Birthplace: Ampang

Poh Ling Yeow is a Malaysian-born Australian television presenter, cook, author, actress, and artist who lives and works in Adelaide. A popular figure, Yeow has appeared in several films and popular TV shows like MasterChef Australia. Also known for her humanitarian efforts, Poh Ling Yeow donated her artwork to benefit Flinders Medical Centre in 2003.

 19 
Siti Nurhaliza
(Singer)
Siti Nurhaliza
11
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: January 11, 1979
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kampung Awah
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
 20 
Yuna
(Singer)
Yuna
6
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: November 14, 1986
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Alor Setar
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 21 
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
(Former Prime Minister of Malaysia)
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 26, 1939
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bayan Lepas

Former Malaysian prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had initially served the civil services. He focused on removing corruption and poverty from his country during his tenure as the PM. He is also a talented poet, and following his retirement, he now serves as the chancellor of the Universiti Teknologi Petronas.

 22 
Neelofa
(Actress)
Neelofa
8
Birthdate: February 10, 1989
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Pasir Mas
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
 23 
Najib Razak
(Former Prime Minister of Malaysia)
Najib Razak
18
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 23, 1953
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kuala Lipis
Najib Razak was the Malaysian prime minister from 2009 to 2018. Son of former prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein, he has also chaired the Barisan Nasional coalition and been the president of the United Malays National Organisation. He was later convicted of corruption and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
 24 
P. Ramlee
(Actor)
P. Ramlee
2
Birthdate: March 22, 1929
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Penang
Died: May 29, 1973
 25 
Abdul Razak Hussein
(Former 2nd Prime Minister of Malaysia)
Abdul Razak Hussein
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: March 11, 1922
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Pekan
Died: January 14, 1976

Abdul Razak Hussein was a Malaysian politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Malaysia from 22 September 1970 until his death on 14 January 1976. An influential politician, Abdul Razak Hussein held several other prominent offices, including the office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Home Affairs.

 26 
Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor
(Malaysian Astronaut.)
Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor
7
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: July 27, 1972
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kuala Lumpur

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor went from being an orthopaedic surgeon to becoming the first Malaysian man to fly into space. Chosen out of 11,000 applicants to join the Malaysian-Russian collaborative space initiative Angkasawan, he became a national hero. He also conducted various medical research experiments while in space.

 27 
Lim Guan Eng
(The Fourth Chief Minister of Penang and the Current Secretary-General of the Malaysian Democratic Action Party)
Lim Guan Eng
7
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 8, 1960
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Malaysia

Former finance minister of Malaysia Lim Guan Eng was no stranger to politics as a child, being the son of politician Lim Kit Siang. Educated in Malaysia and Australia, Eng had initially begun his career as a banker. He has faced a number of legal issues, including charges of corruption.

 28 
Hussein Onn
(Former Prime Minister of Malaysia)
Hussein Onn
5
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 12, 1922
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Johor Bahru
Died: May 29, 1990

Former Malaysian prime minister Hussein Onn is remembered as the Father of Unity. Son of Malaysian freedom fighter Onn Jaafar, Hussein had been educated in Singapore and then been part of the Indian Army during World War II. He later stepped into politics with the UMNO.

 29 
Hishammuddin Hussein
(Malaysian Politician and Lawyer)
Hishammuddin Hussein
1
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: August 5, 1961
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kuala Lumpur

Hishammuddin Hussein is a Malaysian politician who has held various ministerial roles including the Deputy Minister of Primary Industries, Minister of Youth and Sports, Minister of Education, Minister of Home Affairs, and Minister of Defence. Hishammuddin Hussein has also been an important member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) since 1989.

 30 
Jill Bennett
(Actress)
Jill Bennett
3
Birthdate: December 24, 1931
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Penang
Died: October 4, 1990
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 31 
Tanita Tikaram
(Singer, Composer, Songwriter)
Tanita Tikaram
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: August 12, 1969
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Münster
 32 
Nurul Izzah Anwar
(Politician)
Nurul Izzah Anwar
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 19, 1980
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kuala Lumpur

Nurul Izzah Anwar is a Malaysian politician who served as the People's Justice Party's Vice-President from 2010 to 2018. The daughter of Dato' Seri Haji Anwar bin Ibrahim, Nurul Izzah is an ardent advocate of civil and human rights.
 

 33 
Jesseca Liu
(Actress)
Jesseca Liu
0
Birthdate: February 13, 1979
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kedah
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 34 
Fazura
(Actress)
Fazura
1
Birthdate: September 27, 1983
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Pekan
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 35 
Shauna Macdonald
(Actress)
Shauna Macdonald
6
Birthdate: February 21, 1981
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Malaysia
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 36 
Pandelela Rinong
(Malaysian Diver)
Pandelela Rinong
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 2, 1993
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Bau

Two-time Olympic medalist Pandelela Rinong was scouted for state diving at the age of 7. Born into a modest family of a contractor, she initially dreamed of becoming an air stewardess and of traveling the world. She scripted history as the first Malaysian female to win an Olympic medal.

 37 
Oksana Voevodina
(Model)
Oksana Voevodina
3
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: July 10, 1992
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Astrakhan
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 38 
Yeo Bee Yin
(Politician)
Yeo Bee Yin
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 26, 1983
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Segamat

Yeo Bee Yin is a Malaysian politician who served as the Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change from 2 July 2018 to 24 February 2020. Her work as the Minister of Energy and Climate Change earned her several honors including a place in The Ecologist's list of 25 female climate leaders shaping 2019.  

 39 
Lawrence Wong
(Singaporean Actor Who Portrayed 'Hai Lan Cha' in the Chinese Historical Series 'Story of Yanxi Palace')
Lawrence Wong
4
Birthdate: August 5, 1988
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Johor Bahru

Lawrence Wong is a Malaysian-born Singaporean actor whose portrayal of Hai Lan Cha in the Chinese historical series Story of Yanxi Palace earned him a place in the most influential artistes in China list. His role in the series also earned him a Golden Angel Award under the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category.

 40 
Malaysia Vasudevan
(Playback singer and actor in Tamil cinema)
Malaysia Vasudevan
1
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: June 15, 1944
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kuala Selangor
Died: February 20, 2011
 41 
Amelia Thripura Henderson
(Actress)
Amelia Thripura Henderson
0
Birthdate: October 20, 1995
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Klang
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 42 
Arthur Percival
(Military personnel)
Arthur Percival
2
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 26, 1887
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Aspenden
Died: January 31, 1966

Blamed for undermining the British Imperial prestige by surrendering to the Japanese Army during the Battle of Singapore, Arthur Percival was actually a distinguished military officer, known for his successful campaigns in interwar period.  Plagued with underequipped garrison from the beginning, he was forced to surrender in order to save the lives of his 100,000 men and became the scapegoat.

 43 
Iman Afzan
(Princess)
Iman Afzan
2
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: November 11, 1992
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kuala Lumpur
 44 
Hannah Yeoh
(Politician)
Hannah Yeoh
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 9, 1979
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Subang Jaya
Hannah Yeoh is a Malaysian politician who served as the Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development from 2 July 2018 to 24 February 2020. A former lawyer, Hannah Yeoh was an important member of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) political party until 2020 when the PH administration collapsed.
 45 
Carmen Soo
(Model, actress who starred in the 2013 film Ghost Child)
Carmen Soo
1
Birthdate: October 14, 1977
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Kuala Lumpur
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
 46 
Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: April 13, 1937
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kota Bharu

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is a Malaysian politician who played an important role in establishing key policies and foundations in Malaysia's economy. For his immense contribution to Malaysia's economy, Razaleigh is often referred to as the Father of Malaysian Economic Development. Razaleigh, who held various ministerial positions in the past, is currently serving as a member of parliament (MP).

 47 
Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin
(Queen consort of the 9th Sultan of Selangor)
Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin
0
Birthdate: June 4, 1971
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kuala Lumpur
 48 
Lim Kit Siang
(Malaysian Politician)
Lim Kit Siang
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 20, 1941
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Batu Pahat

Lim Kit Siang is a Malaysian politician best known for his service as the Leader of the Opposition. Lim Kit Siang served in this position on three occasions for almost 30 years, making him the longest-serving Malaysian leader of the opposition.

 49 
Joyce Chu
(Singer)
Joyce Chu
4
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: March 7, 1997
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Johor Bahru
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 50 
Peta Sergeant
(Actress best known for her lead role in the Australian television series Satisfaction)
Peta Sergeant
1
Birthdate: September 5, 1980
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Penang Island