From politics to sports, and everything else in between, these notable figures were shining lights in their fields.
March 9 – Aegile Fernandez
The co-founder and director of human rights group Tenaganita, Aegile Fernandez was an outspoken advocate for the rights of women, migrants and refugees.
The younger sister of fellow Tenaganita founder Irene Fernandez, who died in 2014, Aegile was described by University of Nottingham Malaysia’s Bridget Welsh as a warrior for justice who sought to create a “tolerant, kind and inclusive” world.
Social and political activist Ambiga Sreenevasan said Aegile spent her life “fighting the good fight”.
May 14 – Haziq Kamaruddin
National archer and two-time Olympian Haziq Kamaruddin’s death came as a shock to the country’s sporting community.
The 27-year-old from Johor competed in two Olympic Games – London 2012 and Rio 2016 – and was preparing for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers.
Among his many achievements were a gold medal at the 2011 Asian Grand Prix in Laos and a bronze medal at the 2019 Asia Cup in the Philippines. He also won gold and two silver medals in the SEA Games between 2011 and 2019.
June 1 – Lim Kok Wing
An artist, entrepreneur and educationist, Lim Kok Wing was perhaps best known for the universities that bear his name.
After beginning his career as an illustrator, he moved into advertising and started the first professional Malaysian agency, Wings Creative Consultants, in 1975.
He founded the Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology in 1991, which became the first private college to be recognised as a university college, and later opened branches in Cambodia, Botswana, Sierra Leone and the UK.
Aug 6 – Shazni Munir
Pakatan Harapan Youth chief Shazni Munir died after undergoing treatment for Covid-19.
The Amanah Youth leader tested positive on July 19 and, on July 24, it was reported that his wife and children had also been infected.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil were among those who extended their condolences.
Aug 9 – Siti Sarah Raissuddin
Singer Siti Sarah Raissuddin died of Covid-19 complications just days after she delivered her fourth child by surgery.
Seven months pregnant, she was hospitalised with low blood-oxygen levels for a week after developing a bad cough.
Siti Sarah and her comedian husband, Shahmira Muhammad, better known as Shuib Sepahtu, and their three children all caught the virus in July.
Sept 11 – Zaman Khan Rahim Khan
When he was criminal investigation department director at Bukit Aman, Zaman Khan handled some of the most high-profile cases in the country.
Among the more notable cases he was involved in were the Japanese Red Army hostage situation in Kuala Lumpur, a shootout with the notorious criminal Botak Chin, the Highland Towers tragedy, the taking down of Bentong Kali and the crippling of a ring of secret societies in the 1970s.
Zaman Khan, who joined the police force in 1962, was the prison department’s director-general before retiring in 1997. He also served as the police chief for Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
Sept 20 – Ken Worden
The Malaysian football community went into mourning when Ken Worden, the former Selangor and national football coach, died in Australia.
Best known for winning three Malaysia Cups, two Charity Shields and one FA Cup with Selangor in the 1990s, the English-born Worden was also credited with giving numerous young players their chance in the First 11.
A former Burnley and Preston North End player, Worden was described by Malaysian football legend and former Selangor captain Soh Chin Ann as a disciplinarian and no-nonsense coach who was passionate on the field and a true gentleman outside.
Oct 3 – Zolkples Embong
Zolkples Embong, who held the post of National Sports Council (NSC) director-general for seven years, died at his home after a heart attack.
He began his career with the NSC in 1984 as a sports development officer (athlete’s preparation division) and went on to become its director-general in 2007.
Zolkples was also the chief executive officer of the 2017 Malaysian Sea Games organising committee.
Oct 10 – Zainnal Ajamain
An outspoken Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) activist, Zainnal Ajamain died at his residence in Sabah after a suspected heart attack.
He served as an adviser to the Warisan-led Sabah state government in their talks with the federal government regarding MA63.
The party said Sabahans would remember Zainnal’s efforts to fight for their rights.
Oct 24 – Mamat Khalid
Mamat Khalid, whose real name was Mohamad Mohamad Khalid, was a scriptwriter and film director whose films “Zombi Kampung Pisang” and “Hantu Kak Limah” struck a chord with fans of the comedy and family entertainment genres.
National unity minister Halimah Sadique described Mamat as a filmmaker who championed unity among Malaysians through his films, saying he had left an enduring legacy of racial unity in his works.
Mamat was the younger brother of Malaysian cartoonist Mohammad Nor Khalid, better known as Lat.
Oct 31 – James Jemut Masing
Sarawak deputy chief minister James Jemut Masing died from complications from Covid-19.
Masing, who had been Baleh assemblyman since 1983, started his political career when he joined the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak. In 2004, he joined forces with several other political leaders to set up Parti Rakyat Sarawak.
He held several ministerial portfolios in the Sarawak government before being appointed Sarawak deputy chief minister in 2017.
Nov 6 – John Joe Raj Jr
John Joe Raj Jr was a hero in the epic defence of the Bukit Kepong police station in Pagoh, Johor, from a communist attack in 1950.
Malaysia’s oldest retired police commissioner, he died at the age of 100. His key appointments included being the former chief police officer of Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang as well as deputy commissioner in Sarawak.
He retired in 1976 as federal director of management with the rank of commissioner.
He also served as the deputy president of the National Shooting Association of Malaysia.
Dec 4 – Sabbaruddin Chik
Former culture, arts and tourism minister Sabbaruddin Chik died a week after testing positive for Covid-19.
Sabbaruddin was Temerloh MP from 1982 to 1999 and a deputy finance minister from 1982 to 1987.
A former Umno secretary-general, he helped Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob get his start in politics after making him a Temerloh Umno committee member in 1987 and appointing him as his political aide in 1995.
Dec 22 – Osman Sapian
Former Johor menteri besar Osman Sapian’s death came two months after he suffered a stroke.
He was the 16th Johor menteri besar and the first from Bersatu following Pakatan Harapan’s victory in the 14th general election.
The Kempas assemblyman held office for 11 months before resigning in April 2019.