List of people from Sarawak
The following is a list of prominent people who were born in or have lived in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, or for whom Sarawak is a significant part of their identity.
A
- Aaron Ago Dagang – politician, born in Kanowit, Sibu
- Aimanaimin Khusairi – footballer
- Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg – 6th Chief Minister of Sarawak, born in Limbang
- Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustapha – former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and former member of parliament for Asajaya
- Abang Haji Openg – 1st Governor of Sarawak
- Abang Muhammad Salahuddin – 3rd and 6th Governor of Sarawak, born in Kampung Nangka, Sibu
- Abdul Rahman Ya'kub – 4th Governor of Sarawak and 3rd Chief Minister of Sarawak, born in Kampung Jepak, Bintulu
- Abdul Taib Mahmud – 7th Governor of Sarawak and 4th Chief Minister of Sarawak, born in Miri
- Adenan Satem – 5th Chief Minister of Sarawak, born in Kuching
- Ahmad Lai Bujang – member of parliament for Sibuti
- Ahmad Zaidi Adruce – 5th Governor of Sarawak, born in Sibu
- Aidil Mohamad – footballer, born in Mukah
- Alan Ling Sie Kiong – lawyer and politician, born in Sibu
- Albert Kwok – leader of a resistance fighter known as the "Kinabalu Guerrillas" in Jesselton Revolt, Jesselton (present-day Kota Kinabalu in neighbouring Sabah) during Japanese occupation of British Borneo, born in Kuching[1][2]
- Alexander Nanta Linggi – federal Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs and member of parliament for Kapit
- Alex Wong (SingleTrackMind) – independent musician and singer as well a retired professional jet ski racer
- Alice Lau Kiong Yieng – member of parliament for Lanang, born in Sibu
- Amirul Hakim – actor, television broadcast journalist and news presenter for TV3, born in Kuching
- Anding Indrawani Zaini – singer, host & actor, born in Kuching
- Angelina Chai Ka Ying, well-known as Angel – singer, a member of Dolla. Born in Kuching.
- Annuar Rapaee – member of State Legislative Assembly for Nangka, born in Sibu
- Anthony Lee Kok Hin – prelate
- Ashri Chuchu – footballer
- Aslina Chua – tennis player, born in Kuching
- Awang anak Raweng – Iban scout headman, born in Nanga Skrang, Sri Aman
- Azizan Saperi – footballer, born in Kuching
B
- Baru Bian – politician, born in Lawas
- Billy Abit Joo – member of parliament for Hulu Rajang
- Benedict Martin – footballer
- Benedict Sandin – Iban ethnologist, historian, and curator of the Sarawak Museum in Kuching
- Bertram of Sarawak – member of the family of White Rajahs who ruled Sarawak for a hundred years, born in Kuching
- Bolly Lapok – bishop, born in Sebemban, Sri Aman
- Bryan Nickson Lomas – diver, born in Kuching
C
- Camelia – singer and model, born in Kuching
- Celestine Ujang Jilan – politician and former Speaker for State Legislative Assembly
- Chan Seng Khai – 2nd mayor for Kuching South City Council, born in Kuching
- Chong Chieng Jen – lawyer and politician, born in Kuching
- Chong Ted Tsiung – 3rd mayor for Kuching South City Council, born in Kuching
- Clare Rewcastle Brown – British investigative journalist, born in Sarawak[3]
D
- Dan Sullivan – Australian politician, born in Kuching[4]
- Daniel Bego – swimmer, born in Kuching
- Dayang Nurfaizah – singer, born in Kuching
- Depha Masterpiece – musician and member of Masterpiece, born in Kapit
- Dewi Liana Seriestha – singer, model, beauty queen and the first Malaysian to win the Miss World Talent award in Miss World 2014 competition, born in Kuching[5]
- Dion Cools – Belgian-Malaysian footballer, born in Kuching[6]
- Ding Kuong Hiing – member of parliament for Sarikei
- Douglas Uggah Embas – Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak and former member of parliament for Betong
- Dunstan Endawie Enchana – former Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak and member of State Legislative Assembly for Krian, Saratok
- Dzulazlan Ibrahim – footballer
E
- Elizabeth Jimie – diver, born in Kuching
F
- Fadillah Yusof – Malaysian Works minister, born in Kampung Hilir, Sibu
- Fareez Tukijo – footballer
- Fatimah Abdullah – member of State Legislative Assembly for Dalat as the Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development minister
- Francisca Luhong James – Miss Universe Malaysia 2020, born in Kuching
G
- George Chan Hong Nam – former Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak, state Industrial Development minister and state Tourism and Heritage minister, born in Miri
- Gilbert Cassidy Gawing – footballer, born in Miri
H
- Hafiz – singer, born in Kuching
- Hairol Mokhtar – footballer, born in Kuching
- Harrison Ngau Laing – environmentalist and former member of parliament
- Hasbi Habibollah – member of parliament for Limbang
- Henry Golding – British-Malaysian actor, born in Sarawak[7]
- Henry Sum Agong – member of parliament for Lawas
- Halimah Ali – member of parliament for Kapar, born in Marudi
I
- Idris Jala – former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, born in Bario
- Irene Mary Chang Oi Ling - politician
J
- Jacob Dungau Sagan – member of parliament for Baram, born in Long Anap, Ulu Baram
- James Chan Khay Syn – 4th Mayor of Kuching South City Council, born in Kuching
- James Chin – Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania and leading scholar of Malaysian politics and society, born in Kuching
- James Dawos Mamit – former member of parliament for Mambong
- James Jemut Masing – Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak
- James Wan – Australian film director, screenwriter, and producer, born in Kuching[8]
- James Wong – 1st Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak and former Leader of the Opposition, born in Limbang
- Jason Lo – music artist, producer, DJs, entrepreneur and former chief executive officer of Tune Talk, born in Kuching
- Jelaing Mersat – former member of parliament of Saratok
- Jessie Chung – singer-songwriter, musician, oncologist, actress, author, naturopath, and nutritional consultant, born in Kuching
- Jimmy Raymond – footballer
- Joseph Entulu Belaun – Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and member of parliament for Selangau
- Joseph Kalang Tie – footballer
- Joseph Salang Gandum – former member of parliament for Julau
- Juanda Jaya – politician and former Mufti of Perlis
- Jugah Barieng – Paramount Chief of the Iban people and former Sarawak Internal Affairs minister
- Julian Tan Kok Ping – former member of parliament for Stampin
K
- Kanang anak Langkau – national hero and soldier from the Iban-Dayak community
- Kennedy Edwin – musician and member of Masterpiece, born in Kanowit, Sibu
- Koreyoshi Kurahara – Japanese screenwriter and director, born in Kuching[9]
- Kuda Ditta – athletics, competitor at the 1964 Summer Olympics
L
- Lana Nodin – model and actress, born in Kuching
- Larissa Ping Liew – Miss World Malaysia 2018, born in Kuching
- Law Hieng Ding – former Science, Technology and the Environment minister
- Leo Michael Toyad – former member of parliament for Mukah
- Leo Moggie Irok – former politician and chairman board member of Tenaga Nasional
- Lily Eberwein – nationalist and women's right activist
- Liu Shan Bang – Sarawak Chinese historical warrior
- Lynda Ghazzali – entrepreneur and porcelain painter
M
- Muhammad Iyad Izzuddin Muhtar – actor
- Made Katib – former Anglican bishop
- Malcom Mussen Lamoh – member of State Legislative Assembly for Batang Ai
- Masir Kujat – member of parliament for Sri Aman
- Mathew Ngau Jau – Sapeh master and Malaysia's Living National Heritage. Performs and also making the musical instrument, born in Long Semiyang[10]
- Mazwandi – footballer
- Margaret Lim – Canadian-born Malaysian book author[11]
- Melvin Sia – actor, model and singer
- Melvin Wong Hwang Chee – entrepreneur, speaker and businessman as well founder of FanXT, born in Kuching
- Michael Manyin – member of State Legislative Assembly for Tebedu
- Mohd Azlan Iskandar – squash player, born in Kuching
- Mohd Effendi Norwawi – businessman, administrator and politician, former Agriculture minister
N
- Nancy Shukri – Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture and member of parliament for Batang Sadong
- Nicholas Teo – Malaysian singer based in Taiwan, born in Kuching[12]
- Norah Abdul Rahman – former member of parliament for Tanjong Manis
- Neil Paul Sakai – Martial Artist, Wadoryu Karate Sensei and appointed as First Senior Zone (SEA) Instructor for Sakuukai Karate Federation , Japan
O
- Ong Kee Hui – politician and founder of Sarawak United Peoples' Party, born in Kuching
- Ong Poh Lim – Malayan/Singaporean badminton player, born in Kuching
- Ong Tiang Swee – renowned Chinese leader and businessman, born in Kuching
P
- Pandelela Rinong – diver, born in Bau
- Peter Chin Fah Kui – former Energy, Green Technology and Water minister and member of parliament for Miri
- Peter John Jaban – DJ on Radio Free Sarawak and human rights campaigner
Q
R
- Reeshafiq Alwi – footballer
- Rentap – Iban-Dayak historical warrior
- Richard Riot Jaem – Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Malaysia and member of parliament for Serian, born in Serian
- Robert Lau Hoi Chew – former Deputy Minister for Transport and member of parliament for Sibu, born in Sibu
- Robert Raymer – American writer and writing facilitator, born in Grove City, Pennsylvania and migrated to Kuching[13]
- Rodney Akwensivie – Ghanaian-Malaysian footballer, born in Serian[14]
- Rohani Abdul Karim – member of parliament for Batang Lupar
- Rosli Dhobi – nationalist, born in Kampung Pulo, Sibu
- Rubiah Wang – member of parliament for Kota Samarahan
- Rynn Lim – singer and actor, born in Kuching
S
- Stephen Mundaw – Lieutenant General-Datuk-Former commander of the Eastern Field Command-(Highest Malaysian Army Officer), born in Simanggang
- Sanjay Singh – squash player, born in Miri
- Sapok Biki – boxer, born in Simunjan
- Shahrol Saperi – footballer
- Shaun Maloney – English-Scottish footballer, born in Miri[15][9]
- Sherie Merlis – actress, born in Sibu
- Sim Kui Hian – cardiologist and Sarawak Local Government and Housing minister
- Simoi Peri – politician
- Stella Chung – actress and singer
- Stephen Kalong Ningkan – 1st Chief Minister of Sarawak, born in Betong
- Stephen Yong Kuet Tze – former Cabinet minister
- Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib – former Deputy Tourism minister
- Sulaiman Daud – former member of parliament for Petra Jaya
- Syarif Masahor – Sarawak Malay historical warrior
T
- Tawi Sli – 2nd Chief Minister of Sarawak
- Thane Bettany – English actor and dancer, born in Sarawak[9][16]
- Tiki Lafe – former member of parliament for Mas Gading
- Tiong Hiew King – businessman and founder of Rimbunan Hijau, born in Sibu
- Tiong King Sing – Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Malaysia and member of parliament for Bintulu
- Tiong Thai King – former member of parliament for Lanang
- Traisy Vivien Tukiet – diver
- Tsai Horng Chung – Chinese-Malaysian painter, born in China and migrated to Sarawak during Japanese occupation of British Borneo
- Tsai Ming-liang – Taiwanese filmmaker, born in Kuching[17]
- Tuanku Bujang Tuanku Othman – 2nd Governor of Sarawak
U
V
- Valentino Bong – Filipino-Malaysian squash player, born in Kuching[18]
- Venice Elphi – footballer, born in Kuching
- Violet Yong Wui Wui – politician
W
- Wahab Dolah – former member of parliament for Igan
- Wan Junaidi – Minister of Entrepreneur Development And Co-operatives and member of parliament for Santubong
- Watson Nyambek – sprinter, born in Miri
- Watt Marcus – musician and member of Masterpiece, born in Sibu
- Welson Sim – swimmer, born in Kuching
- Wee Han Wen – architect and chairman of the Miri City Council
- Wee Kheng Chiang – businessman, born in Kuching
- Wee Kheng Ming – actor
- William Nyallau Badak – member of parliament for Lubok Antu
- Willy Edwin – musician and member of Masterpiece, born in Kanowit, Sibu
- Wilson Nyabong Ijang – politician, member of State Legislative Assembly for Pelagus
- Wong Ho Leng – former Opposition leader of Sarawak State Assembly, born in Sibu
- Wong Ling Biu – politician
- Wong Soon Koh – Opposition Leader of Sarawak State Assembly
X
Y
- Yi Jet Qi – Taiwanese singer and songwriter, born in Miri[19]
- Yong Khoon Seng – former member of parliament for Stampin
- Yong Mun Sen (Yong Yen Lang) – artist and one of the founder of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, born in Kuching[20]
Z
- Zamri Morshidi – footballer
- Zee Avi – singer-songwriter, guitarist and ukulele player, born in Miri
- Zulkifli Che Ros – weightlifter
See also
References
- ^ Andrew Hwang (17 August 2010). "Remember the North Borneo resistance fighters". The Star. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "FCAS prepared to set up Sabah Chinese Heritage Museum". The Borneo Post. 4 January 2018. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ Ian Burrell (5 August 2015). "British journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown given police protection after being followed and photographed in Hyde Park". The Independent. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Mr Daniel (Dan) Frank Barron-Sullivan MLA". Parliament of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Dewi membanggakan Sarawak dan Malaysia" (in Malay). Utusan Borneo. 16 December 2014. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ Seng-Foo Lee (10 August 2016). "Cools: I feel as much Malaysian as I do Belgian". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ Kenneth Chaw (18 September 2017). "Sarawak-born Henry Golding defends Crazy Rich Asians casting". AsiaOne. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "'The Conjuring' Malaysian-Born Director James Wan Talks About His Sarawak Hometown And Durians". Malaysian Digest. 15 June 2016. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b c Jafwan Jaafar (13 January 2016). "Foreign celebs you didn't know were born in M'sia". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "National Heritage Living Person". Department of National Heritage, Malaysia. 31 May 2016. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Margaret H.L. Lim". Fairy Bird Books. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ Loong Wai Ting (27 October 2015). "Singer Nicholas Teo returns with intimate showcase on Dec 5 [VIDEO]". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Robert Raymer" (in French). Biblio Monde. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ Seng-Foo Lee (2 September 2015). "Meet Sarawak's young defender who qualifies to play for Malaysia and Ghana". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ Seng-Foo Lee (21 October 2014). "Maloney: I play for Scotland but Malaysia will always be a special part of me". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Thane Bettany". Scottish Theatre Archive. University of Glasgow. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ Allan Koay (9 February 2014). "Tsai Ming-liang: Then and now". The Star. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "PHL eyes two golds in squash in KL SEA Games". Sun.Star Baguio. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2018 – via PressReader.
- ^ Lim Chia Ying (10 October 2010). "Music and charity in Yi's heart". The Star. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ Ooi Kok Chuen (August 2010). "Remembering Yong Mun Sen (Born Kuching, Sarawak, January 10, 1896. Died Penang, September 29, 1962)". Penang Institute. Penang Monthly. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.