Malaysian Personalities:

Lee Chong Wei

Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s career as a badminton player began when he was discovered

by Misbun Sidek, a former national badminton player turn coach. At the young age of

17, he was drafted into the national squad.

Chong Wei is a professional badminton player and was the first ever Malaysian to reach

the finals of the men’s singles category in the 1996 Olympic games, being the first to

end the medal drought since then.

The achievement in the Olympic Games earned him the title of Datuk where the

Malaysian Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak, described Chong Wei as a

national hero. Chong Wei also has other accolades other badminton players yearn for –

two All-England championships titles.

Malaysian Personalities:

Nicol David

Dato’ Nicol David is a professional female squash player who is currently ranked no.1 in

the world. She is the first Asian female to hold this title and has won a record of 6 World

Championship titles in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. She has also added the

British Open title to her cap for 3 times in 2005, 2006 and 2006.

Nicol has also been honored with the Order of Merit (Darjah Bakti) in conjunction with

Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin’s birthday. She was the first ever recipient of this title which

was established way back in 1975.

In 2004, Nicol was invited to carry Malaysia’s Olympic torch during the build-up to the

games in Athens and also in the same year, she was appointed as the UNDP National

Goodwill Ambassador for Malaysia. Nicol is definitely a sports icon and inspires many

young Malaysians to achieve the success she has achieved thus far.

Malaysian Personalities:

Jimmy Choo

When you have a theme song and that song was recorded by Ashanti, Jay-Z and Lil’ Kim, you know you have made it. Jimmy Choo is not your ordinary shoemaker. His name is synonymous with luxury footwear and women all around the world would do just about anything to own a pair designed by him.

He was born in Penang to a shoemaker and at the age of 11 years old, he had already crafted his very first shoe. He went to London to study and in 1983, he graduated from the London College of Fashion. Three years later, he opened his shoe shop in Hackney. His designs quickly established himself as an up-and-coming shoe designer and when British Vogue expressed desire to feature him in their publication, his career as a shoe designer took off. From ordinary people to celebrities and even royalty, people from all walks of life desire a pair of Jimmy Choos. Even the late Princess Diana was a loyal client of his.

In the fashion world, there is definitely no Malaysian who can compare to Jimmy Choo. The UK has even recognised his contributions to the fashion and shoe industry by conferring him an Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Malaysian Personalities:

Michelle Yeoh

In the world of entertainment, Dato’ Michelle Yeoh is definitely Malaysia’s most successful movie star. Her career began in Hong Kong when she starred alongside Jackie Chan in The Police Story 3, a critical and successful movie which was released in 1992. Dato’ Michelle impressed Jackie so much that she is among the handful of stars that he would allow to do their own stunts. Since then, she has appeared in both Hong Kong and Hollywood films.

It is safe to say that appearing as a Bond girl in the James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies, alongside Pierce Brosnan elevated her status not only as an action star but it also proved she could take on Hollywood as well. Notable movies she has appeared in includes the highly acclaimed Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Mummy 3 and Babylon A.D. Indeed an impressive list for a girl who hailed from the small town of Ipoh.

Dato’ Michelle has proved time and time again that she has the acting skills to take on dramatic roles and has broken the stereotype that Asians are limited to only action roles.

Malaysian Personalities:

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar

Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor takes the coveted title as being the first Malaysian

to go into outer space but that’s not all. He was the first Muslim to observe Ramadhan

while in space. The historical journey took place on October 10th 2007 where he

blasted off with two other astronauts from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to

the International Space Station.

During his nine days on the space station, he performed various scientific tests and

experiments. Upon his return to earth, he has participated in space research programs

and organized various motivational talks with the intention to relay to the younger

generation that working towards your dreams do make it come true.