Penang - Famous Penangites

Famous Penangites

• Tunku Abdul Rahman, 1st Prime Minister of Malaysia; studied in Penang Free School and retired in Penang.
• Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Malaysia's fifth Prime Minister, hails from the mainland town of Kepala Batas, Penang.
• Ah Niu, artist, popular across Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and China.
• Alleycats, popular Malaysian band formed in the 1960s.
• Anwar Fazal, who Mother Earth News called in 1983 "probably the most influential figure in the worldwide consumer movement".
• Anwar Ibrahim, the ex-Deputy Prime Minister, currently the MP representing Permatang Pauh and leader of parliamentary opposition.
• Jill Bennett (1931–1990), actress, born in Penang.
• Cheong Fatt Tze (1840–1916), Chinese Consul for the Qing Emperor, based in Penang in 1890. A street in Penang was named after him.
• Professor Chin Fung Kee from Nibong Tebal, the designer of the Penang Bridge
• Jimmy Choo, the famous shoe designer.
• Eddy Choong, the four-time All England champion
• Cauder Mydin Merican, A leader of the Tamil Muslims, also known as "Kapitan Keling" was granted an 18-acre plot in 1801 by the then Lieutenant Governor of Prince of Wales Island, George Leith, for the purpose of building a "Mohammedan church", that is to say, a mosque, which is now known as "Masjid Kapitan Keling".
• Chung Keng Quee
• Chung Thye Phin
• Gu Hongming (1857–1928), famous Chinese scholar from Penang.
• Hon Sui Sen(1916–1983), Minister for Finance, Singapore from 1970 to 1983. A Penang-born Hakka, he was educated at St. Xavier's Institution, Penang.
• Karpal Singh, Member of Parliament and Chairman of Democratic Action Party. A prominent lawyer and opposition politician widely known as "Tiger of Jelutong" who was educated at St. Xavier's Institution.
• Khaw Boon Wan, Minister for National Development, Singapore (previously Minister of Health). Penang-born and educated at Chung Ling High School, Penang.
• Koh Tsu Koon, former Chief Minister of Penang, now a federal minister in Prime Minister's Department.
• Lee Chong Wei, currently ranked No.1 badminton player in the world (22 January 2009)
• Kimberley Leggett, Miss Universe Malaysia 2012.
• Li Yi (李逸, birth name 李金标) (1952–1980), Chinese singer of the 1970s whose promising singing career was cut short by a fatal road mishap in 1980. His illustrious singing career took off after emerging as the winner at the RTM national level singing contest (全国天才园地歌唱比赛) in 1971.
• Lim Chong Eu (1919–2010) former Chief Minister of Penang. He was known as the Father of Modern Penang
• Loh Boon Siew (1915–1995), founder of Boon Siew Honda and sole distributor of Honda motorcycles in Malaysia.
• Low Wee Wern, professional woman squash player.
• Nicol David, women's squash world champion, ranked world No. 1.
• Nor Mohamed Yakcop, currently the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department. Penang-born and educated at St. Xavier's Institution, Penang.
• Naraina Pillai (Narayana Pillay) social entreprenaur and businessman, Sailed with Stamford Raffles to Singapore in 1819 and was the first Indian to set foot in Singapore. Gained recognition as a leader amongst the Indians and was appointed chief of Indians from Cholamandalaman. 1827 built the Sri Mariamman temple, the oldest temple in Singapore. Started first brick company and was the first Indian building contractor in Singapore.
• P. Ramlee (1929–1973), Malaysia's legendary actor/singer/director.
• Danny Quah, economist, head of the Economics Department (2006–2009), Professor of Economics, and Co-Director of Global Governance at the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK. Council Member, Malaysia's National Economic Advisory Council (2009–)
• Tan Twan Eng, novelist, nominated for the 2007 Man Booker Prize for the novel The Gift of Rain.
• Lillian Too, feng shui consultant and best-selling author of feng shui books.
• John H. Whyte (1928–1990), a political scientist born in Penang.
• Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee (1911–2002), former Chief Minister of Penang.
• Wu Lien-teh (1879–1960), renowned plague fighter and pioneer in the modernisation of China's public health system.
• Ken Yeang, architect famous for his bioclimatic skyscrapers.
• Yeap Chor Ee (1867–1952), prominent businessman and philanthropist.
• Yong Mun Sen (1896–1962), pioneer artist, father of Malaysian painting.