1979 in Malaysia

1979 in Malaysia
This article lists important figures and events in Malaysian public affairs during the year 1979, together with births and deaths of notable Malaysians and Malaysia-related figures.
Incumbent political figures
Federal level
Yang di-Pertuan Agong:
Sultan Yahya Petra (until 29 March)
Sultan Ahmad Shah (from 29 March)
Raja Permaisuri Agong:
Raja Perempuan Zainab (until 29 March)
Tengku Ampuan Afzan (from 29 March)
Prime Minister: Tun Hussein Onn
Deputy Prime Minister: Dato' Dr Mahathir Mohamad
Lord President: Mohamed Suffian Mohamed Hashim
State level
Sultan of Johor: Sultan Ismail
Sultan of Kedah: Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah
Sultan of Kelantan:
Tengku Ismail Petra (Regent until 29 March)
Sultan Ismail Petra (from 29 March)
Raja of Perlis: Tuanku Syed Putra
Sultan of Perak: Sultan Idris Shah II
Sultan of Pahang: Tengku Abdullah (Regent from 29 March)
Sultan of Selangor: Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah
Sultan of Terengganu:
Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah (until 20 September)
Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah (from 20 September)
Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan: Tuanku Jaafar (Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong)
Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Penang: Tun Sardon Jubir
Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Malacca: Tun Syed Zahiruddin bin Syed Hassan
Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Sarawak: Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin
Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Sabah: Tun Mohd Adnan Robert
Events
January - Go-slow at Subang Airport.
February – Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) was established.
29 March – Sultan Yahya Petra ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim Petra of Kelantan and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong died. His body was brought back to Kelantan and laid to rest at Kelantan Royal Mausoleum, .
26 April – Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang was elected as the seventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
April – Malaysia became the world's largest exporter of semiconductor industry.
April – Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. of Japan opened its factories in Shah Alam, Selangor.
7 May – RTM2 commenced colour television broadcasts.
22 May – The Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad was founded
5 September – Establishment of Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Mahmud
September – Opening of the Karak Highway and Genting Sempah Tunnel.
Births
11 January – Siti Nurhaliza – Singer
30 May – Que Haidar – Actor
2 June – Siti Zalina Ahmad – Lawn bowler
30 September – Vince Chong – Reality TV Star
29 October – Maya Karin – Singer and actress
11 November – Farah Asyikin Zulkifli– Singer, songwriter of Malaysian Idol S2 and One in a Million (season 1)
Deaths
8 March – Ibrahim Hj Yaacob – Malayan politician and founder of the Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM) (Young Malay Union)
29 March – Sultan Yahya Petra of Kelantan and 6th Yang di-Pertuan Agong
30 March – E. E. C. Thuraisingham – first local Member (Minister) for Education in the Communities Liaison Committee
27 April – Shariff Dol – Malay film actor
18 May – Tun V.T Sambanthan – former MIC president and Minister of Works and Communications
20 September – Panglima Ismail Nasir Shah of Terengganu and 4th Yang di-Pertuan Agong
12 October – V. Manickavasagam – 6th President of the Malaysian Indian Congress (1973-1979)
25 October – Sir Gerald Templer – Former British High Commissioner In King House (1970 - 1975)
See also
History of Malaysia
References
Years of the 20th century in Malaysia
Malaysia
Malaysia
1970s in Malaysia