Malaysians Who Went Global And Took Our Flag With Them

What does it mean to put Malaysia on the world map?

Sometimes, it is an athlete standing on a podium with the Jalur Gemilang behind them. Sometimes, it is a Malaysian actor hearing their name called on Hollywood’s biggest stage. It can also be an artist whose drawings tell stories about Malaysian life, a designer whose creations walk the world’s biggest fashion stages, or a rally driver racing through unfamiliar roads with the Malaysian flag on his car.

Malaysia Day is more than a celebration of the country’s formation. It is also an opportunity to look back at the Malaysians who have taken their talent, determination and dreams beyond our borders and shown the world what Malaysians can achieve.

From sports and entertainment to fashion and the arts, their journeys were not always easy. Behind every medal, trophy, award and international accolade were years of training, rejection, sacrifice, discipline and the courage to keep going.

Here are some of the Malaysians whose journeys continue to make the country proud.

Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan – The Flying Doctor who Ran into History

Long before Malaysia had many names known around the international sporting arena, Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan was already making his mark on the track. Fondly remembered as one of Malaysia’s greatest sprinters, Jegathesan represented the country at three Olympic Games in 1960, 1964 and 1968.

His Asian Games performances were particularly remarkable. At the 1962 Asian Games, he won the 100m gold, while at the 1966 Asian Games he claimed gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. But his story did not end when he left competitive athletics.

A medical doctor by profession, Jegathesan went on to contribute to sports medicine and anti-doping efforts, taking on important roles with organisations including the Olympic Council of Malaysia, Olympic Council of Asia and International Olympic Committee. 

Karamjit Singh – The Malaysian who took Rallying to the World

To many Malaysians, Karamjit Singh is simply the “Flying Sikh”. But behind that nickname is a driver who helped put Malaysia on the international rallying map. Karamjit began his rallying career in the 1980s and eventually achieved one of the biggest milestones in Malaysian motorsport.

In 2002, he became the first Asian driver to win the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship. He also won the Asia Pacific Rally Championship on multiple occasions and became an 11-time Malaysian national champion. 

His success showed that a Malaysian driver could compete and win on a world stage traditionally dominated by major motorsport nations.

Datuk Michelle Yeoh – Ipoh born to Hollywood 

Few Malaysian journeys have travelled as far as that of Datuk Michelle Yeoh. Born in Ipoh, Yeoh built an international acting career across Hong Kong cinema and Hollywood, taking on roles that eventually made her one of Asia’s most recognisable stars.

Then came March 12, 2023. At the 95th Academy Awards, Yeoh won Best Actress for Everything Everywhere All at Once, becoming the first Asian actress to win the award. She also became the first Malaysian to receive the prestigious Best Actress Oscar.  For Malaysians watching from home, it was more than a Hollywood victory. It was a moment that showed how far a girl from Ipoh could go.

Datuk Jimmy Choo – The Malaysian behind shoes known around the world

Before the name Jimmy Choo became synonymous with luxury footwear, there was a young boy growing up in a family of shoemakers in Penang.

Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat learned the craft from his father and eventually travelled to England to study shoemaking at Cordwainers Technical College. He graduated with honours in 1983.  His skills, craftsmanship and eye for design eventually took his work from a small family tradition to the international fashion industry.

Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang – The pocket Rocketman who never gave up

Some victories take years to arrive. For Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, the Commonwealth Games keirin gold was one of them.

Known affectionately as the “Pocket Rocketman”, the Terengganu-born cyclist finally captured the men's keirin gold at Glasgow 2026 – his first Commonwealth Games gold and a victory that came after a 16-year wait. His journey had already included Olympic success, including a silver medal at Tokyo 2020, but the Commonwealth gold had remained out of reach.

At Glasgow, he finally changed that. It was an emotional moment – not because he won, but because of everything that came before it.

Datuk Nicol David – A Malaysian who ruled the squash world

For more than a decade, the name Nicol David was synonymous with excellence in squash. The Penang-born athlete became world number one and held the position for a record 108 consecutive months. She also won the World Open title eight times.

But what makes Nicol’s journey especially remarkable is the consistency behind those achievements. Year after year, tournament after tournament, she remained at the top of one of the world's most demanding sports.

She eventually retired in 2019, leaving behind a legacy that extends far beyond the squash court. 

Soh Wai Ching – One step at a time to the top of the world

What if the road to becoming a world champion was not a road at all, but thousands of stairs?

For Malaysian tower runner Soh Wai Ching, that is exactly what it took. From skyscrapers in Asia to iconic buildings around the world, Soh has turned staircases into a global sporting arena. He was crowned the 2024 Tower running World Champion and has competed at some of the world's most challenging vertical races. 

His story is particularly inspiring because tower running is still relatively unfamiliar to many Malaysians.

Yet Soh continued competing internationally and helping introduce the sport to a wider audience. Sometimes, making Malaysia proud is not about competing in the sports everyone already knows. Sometimes, it is about showing the world a sport and a talent, it never knew Malaysia had.

Datuk Lat – The Malaysian storyteller who made the Kampung Universal

Not every Malaysian who made it to the world stage did so with a medal or trophy. Some did it with a pencil. Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid, better known as Lat, turned ordinary Malaysian life into art.

Through works such as The Kampung Boy, Lat captured the humour, warmth and everyday experiences of Malaysian society in a way that resonated far beyond the country. The Kampung Boy has been translated into 14 languages, while Lat’s cartoons have earned international recognition. He was also awarded the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 2002. 

What makes Lat special is that he did not need to leave Malaysia behind to become internationally recognised. Instead, he took Malaysia with him.

These eight Malaysians come from very different worlds. Their paths were different, but there was one thing they had in common: they started somewhere in Malaysia. As Malaysia Day approaches on September 16, we celebrate not just the country we call home, but the Malaysians who have carried its name proudly across the world. Because Malaysia's story is not only written within its borders. Some of its proudest chapters have been written around the world. 

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Image Credit : wargabiz , Awani , Gempak  , toughasia , Malay Mail