This is a list of notable Malaysians of Indian origin, including original immigrants who obtained Malaysian citizenship and their Malaysian descendants. Entries on this list are demonstrably notable by having a linked current article or reliable sources as footnotes against the name to verify they are notable and define themselves either full or partial Indian origin, whose ethnic origin lie in

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

. This list also includes emigrant Malaysians of Indian origin and could be taken as a list of famous Malaysians of Indian origin.

Academicians

Chandra Muzaffar Chandra Muzaffar is a Malaysian political scientist, and an Islamic reformist and activist. He has written on civilization dialogue, human rights, Malaysian politics and international relations. Career Muzaffar was the first Director of the ...

Lloyd Fernando Lloyd Fernando (31 May 1926 – 28 February 2008) was a Malaysian author and professor at the University of Malaya in the English Department. Life Lloyd Fernando was born to a Sinhalese family in Sri Lanka in 1926. In 1938, his family migrate ...

* Jomo Kwame Sundram, Economist * K. S. Maniam *

Shan Ratnam Emeritus Professor Sittampalam Shanmugaratnam (4 July 1928 – 6 August 2001), also known as Shan Ratnam, was a Singaporean obstetrician and gynaecologist. He was professor and head of the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the N ...

* Muthucumaraswamy Sornarajah * Abdullah Abdul Kadir

Activists, social workers, environmentalist and lawyers

Kamal Bamadhaj Kamal Ahmed Bamadhaj (23 December 1970 – 12 November 1991) was a political science student and human rights activist, who was killed in the Dili Massacre in East Timor on November 12, 1991. Of Malaysian and New Zealand parentage, he was the on ...

, political science student and human rights activist, who was killed in the Dili Massacre in East Timor on 12 November 1991 * Rasammah Bhupalan, social activist * Param Cumaraswamy, high-profile Malaysian lawyer from Kuala Lumpur; Chair of the Malaysian Bar Council from 1986 to 1988; United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers by the UN Commission on Human Rights from 1994 to 2003 *

Mary Shanthi Dairiam Mary Shanthi Dairiam (born 17 September 1939) is a Malaysian human rights and women's rights advocate. She was the elected member from Malaysia to thCommittee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Womenserving the Committee fro ...

, Malaysian human rights and women's rights advocate; United Nations official *

K. L. Devaser Kundan Lal Devaser was the fourth president of the Malayan Indian Congress from 1951 - 1955. It was under Devaser's presidency that the MIC joined the Barisan Nasional, Alliance in 1954, which was then a political coalition formed between the Un ...

* Irene Fernandez (1946–2014) * Charles Hector, Malaysian human rights advocate and activist * S. M. Mohamed Idris, consumer rights activist *

Hans Isaac Gerald Hans Isaac (born 20 August 1971) is a Malaysian actor, producer, and director. On 10 April 2019, he was appointed as the Chairman of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS). He resigned as the chairman of the body a ...

, Malaysian actor, producer, director and a former model * G. Rama Iyer * M. Manoharan, prominent lawyer, politician, HINDRAF (legal adviser) * Gengadharan Nair * Cecil Rajendra, human rights activist * R. Ramani, second president of Malaya Bar Council; first Asian president of Malaya Bar Council *

Ravichandran Ravichandran is an Indian name. Notable people with the name include: * Ravichandran (Tamil actor) (1942–2011) * Ravichandran (Tamil film director) (born 1971) * N. Ravichandran (professor) (1955), professor at IIM Ahmedabad * N. Ravichandran, ...

, Tamil film actor who played lead roles in Tamil movies of the 1960s and 1970 *

Uma Sambanthan Toh Puan Umasundari Sambanthan née Subramaniam (8 September 1929 – 31 January 2020) was a Malaysian activist, social worker and leading figure of the cooperative movement. She was also the wife of Tun V.T. Sambanthan, former Malayan Labour ...

D. R. Seenivasagam Darma Raja Seenivasagam ( Tamil: தார்ம ராஜா சீனிவசகம்) (1925, Ipoh - 15 March 1969, Ipoh) was a prominent leader of the People's Progressive Party (Malaysia) (PPP) which before 1959 was known as Perak Progre ...

* Mahadev Shankar * Nisha Ayub, Malaysian transgender rights activist. * Bishan Singh Ram Singh,

environmentalist An environmentalist is a person who is concerned with and/or advocates for the protection of the environment. An environmentalist can be considered a supporter of the goals of the environmental movement, "a political and ethical movement that se ...

Gurmit Singh Gurmit Singh Virk Chainchal Singh (born 24 March 1965; pa, ਗੁਰਮੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ, Gurmīt Siṅgh; ) is a Singaporean actor, comedian and television personality. He was prominently a full-time Mediacorp artiste from 1994 to 2014. A f ...

, Singaporean actor of part Malaysian-Punjabi descent *

Karpal Singh Dato' Seri Utama Karpal Singh s/o Ram Singh Deo ( pa, ਕਰਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ, Karpāl Siṅgh; 28 June 1940 – 17 April 2014) was an Indian Malaysian politician and lawyer. He was Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of Bu ...

(1940–2014), prominent Malaysian politician, lawyer and human rights activist * Murugesan Sinnandavar *

She was the elected member from Malaysia to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (2005–2008) *

Ambiga Sreenevasan Dato' Ambiga Sreenevasan ( ta, அம்பிகா சீனிவாசன், Ampikā cīṉivācaṉ; born 1956) is a prominent Malaysian lawyer and human rights advocate, and one of eight recipients of the US International Women of Courag ...

, ex-president of the Malaysian Bar Council and active activist * Steven Thiru, current president of Malaysian Bar *

Ramon Tikaram Ramon Tikaram is a British stage and screen actor of Indo-Fijian and Southeast Asian descent. He is known for playing such roles as Ferdy in the BBC television series '' This Life'' and Qadim Shah in the BBC One soap opera '' EastEnders''. Ea ...

, British stage and screen actor * P. Uthayakumar, founder of HINDRAF * Chacko Vadaketh, Malaysian actor, writer, television personality and MC * Irene Xavier, women's rights activist * Latheefa Koya, fifth Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) from June 2019 to March 2020. *

Ivy Josiah Ivy Nallammah Josiah is a teacher and activist in Malaysia. She has been a pioneer in setting up the Women's Aid Organisation that provides help and refuge to women fleeing from domestic violence in Malaysia. Early life Josiah was born in Kuala ...

Actresses and female models

Amelia Thripura Henderson Amelia Thripura Henderson (born 20 October 1995) is a Malaysian actress, television presenter, YouTuber and model. Early life Amelia Thripura Henderson was born in Klang, Selangor, Malaysia, and she is the daughter of a Malaysian Indian dentis ...

, Malaysian teenage actress * Andrea Fonseka,Malaysian model, television presenter, actress and beauty pageant titleholder * Anaika Soti, Bollywood and Kollywood actress; attended high school in Malaysia *

Deborah Priya Henry Deborah Priya Henry (born 21 July 1985), also known as Priya Emmanuel, is a Malaysian TV Host of Indian and Irish descent and a former model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2011 but did not make it to the ...

, winner of Miss Malaysia 2011, television personality, and actress * Haanii Shivraj (1991–2014), Malaysian actress *

Kavita Sidhu Kavita Sidhu ( pa, ਕਵਿਤਾ ਕੌਰ ਸਿੱਧੂ, Kavitā kaura sidhū; born 29 November 1971) is a Malaysian actress and former beauty queen. She is of Indian Punjabi ancestry. Career Sidhu won the Miss Charm International title i ...

, actress and former beauty queen * Kiran Jassal, Miss Universe Malaysia 2016 * Melinder Bhullar, Miss Malaysia World 2013 * Nadine Ann Thomas, winner of Miss Malaysia 2010 * Neelofa *

Nicole Arumugam Nicole Arumugam is a British actress. She is half Irish, half Malaysian. She is best known for appearing on British television, most notably the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', where she played Michelle Fowler's college friend and flatmate She ...

, British actress *

Pushpa Narayan Pushpa Narayan-Robless (born 6 November 1978) is a Malaysian entrepreneur, actress, model and of Malaysian Indian origin, who achieved popularity through her roles in several TV shows. Narayan has acted in Malay and Tamil Language Tami ...

, Malaysia actress and model *

Ramya Raj Ramya Raj, alias Ragini, is a Malaysian actress, who has appeared in Tamil films. Career She is probably best known for her performances in ''Sandai''. Ramya is related to actress Khushbu, by her elder sister being Kushboo's sister-in-law. T ...

, Malaysia-born actress who acts in

Tamil cinema Tamil cinema, also known as Kollywood is a part of Indian Cinema; primarily engaged in production of motion pictures in the Tamil language. Based out of the Kodambakkam neighbourhood in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, it is popularly called ''Kollywo ...

* Rubini Sambanthan, former beauty queen and model. She stars in the sixth cycle of

Asia's Next Top Model ''Asia's Next Top Model'' (abbreviated as ''AsNTM'') is a reality television show based on the American franchise ''America's Next Top Model'' in which a number of aspiring models compete for the title of ''Asia's Next Top Model'' and a chance ...

. * Sabrina Beneett, winner of Miss Malaysia 2014 *

Sangeeta Krishnasamy Sangeeta Krishnasamy is a Malaysian actress and model. She did a small role in Kollywood movie after making an appearance in Venkat Prabhu's hit Goa and as the female lead in ''ZHA'' among famous South Indian film actors. In 2015 she was the ...

, actress and model; first Malaysian woman to act in a

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nativ ...

movie * Nithya Shree, actress and makeup artist * Sharon Alaina Stephen, Malaysian actress * Shuba Jay, Malaysian actress; was killed, together with her husband and daughter, in the shootdown of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 * Tatiana Kumar, Miss World Malaysia 2016 *

Thanuja Ananthan Thanuja Ananthan (born 31 August 1985) is a Malaysian model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned as Miss World Malaysia 2009 and represented her country at the Miss World 2009. Career Miss World Malaysia 2009 Ananthan was crowned as ...

, Miss World Malaysia 2009-2010 *

Vanessa Tevi Vanessa Tevi Kumares ( ta, வெனெசா தேவி குமரேஸ்; ; born 4 December 1991) is a Chindians, Malaysian Chindian model and beauty pageant titleholder, who was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2015. She represented her c ...

, winner of Miss Malaysia 2015 *

Shweta Sekhon Shweta Sekhon (born Shwetajeet Kaur Sekhon, 6 November 1997), is a Malaysian Indian model and beauty pageant titleholder. She was crowned as Miss World Malaysia 2016 and Miss Universe Malaysia 2019. She represented Malaysia at the Miss Universe ...

, winner of Miss Universe Malaysia 2019 and Miss World Malaysia 2016

Ancient rulers

* Tun Ali of Malacca, fourth

Bendahara Bendahara ( Jawi: بنداهارا) is an administrative position within classical Malay kingdoms comparable to a vizier before the intervention of European powers during the 19th century. A bendahara was appointed by a sultan and was a heredi ...

of the

Malaccan Sultanate The Malacca Sultanate ( ms, Kesultanan Melaka; Jawi script: ) was a Malay sultanate based in the modern-day state of Malacca, Malaysia. Conventional historical thesis marks as the founding year of the sultanate by King of Singapura, Paramesw ...

Tun Mutahir of Malacca Bendahara Sri Maharaja Tun Mutahir (died 1510) was a famous Bendahara of the Malaccan Sultanate. Of Indian Muslim ancestry, he was the seventh Bendahara, a post equivalent to a prime minister. Prior to holding the post of Bendahara, he also he ...

, famous bendahara of the Malaccan Sultanate *

Tun Fatimah Tun Fatimah was a well-known heroine and daughter of Tun Mutahir the Malaccan bendahara (prime minister) who lived during the 16th century. She was married to Malacca's Sultan Mahmud Shah. Early life Through her father's lineage, she is a desc ...

, daughter to the Malaccan Bendahara who lived during the 16th century; was married to Malacca's Sultan Mahmud Shah as one of his consorts after all her male siblings were executed

Arts and entertainment

* Adam Jagnawi * 'Punnagai Poo' Gheetha, the first female producer of Tamil films *

, Malaysian actor, producer, director, and former model * K. Haran, film director and screenwriter, * Huzir Sulaiman, Malaysian actor, director, and writer *

V. Nagaraj V. Nagaraj (Tamil language, Tamil: வி. நாகராஜ்) (born 20 November 1962) also known as Director Naga, is a Malaysian film director. Nagaraj has worked in the regional film industry since 1984, and has directed popular Malay la ...

, prominent Malaysian director *

B. S. Rajhans Balbir Singh Rajhans ( pa, ਬਲ੍ਦੇਨ੍ ਸਿੰਘ ਰਝਨ੍ਸ੍, Baldēn sigha rajhans), or better known as B. S. Rajhans, was a director of Malay films. His first film was ''Laila Majnun'' which was released in 1933. Early l ...

, Malaysia's first filmmaker *

Praboo Ariva Praboo T. Arivanathan, known as Praboo Ariva, is a Malaysian Malaysian may refer to: * Something from or related to Malaysia, a country in Southeast Asia * Malaysian Malay, a dialect of Malay language spoken mainly in Malaysia * Malaysian people, ...

, Malaysia youngest director *

Prem Nath Prem Nath Malhotra, better known as Prem Nath, was an Indian actor and director, who was best known for his works in Hindi films. Nath made his debut with the film ''Ajit'' (1948), and went on to appear in over 100 films throughout his career. ...

, Malaysia director * Pria Viswalingam, Malaysian-born Australian documentary and filmmaker * Redza Piyadasa *

Rani Moorthy Rani Moorthy is a Malaysian-born playwright, actress, and artistic director of Rasa Productions. Following the race riots of 1969 her family tried to emigrate to Singapore, but were unsuccessful for a time. When they eventually made it, Moorthy beg ...

, Malaysian-born playwright, actress, and artistic director of Rasa Productions * Sharad Sharan, journalist and film director * Solamalay Namasivayam, artist * Syed Thajudeen, artist * Zabrina Fernandez, television producer * Geraldine Viswanathan, Australian actress * Zulkiflee Anwar Haque, cartoonist

Business people and entrepreneurs

Ananda Krishnan Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan (Tamil: த. ஆனந்தகிருஷ்ணன்) (born 1 April 1938) is a Malaysian-Tamil businessman, the Chairman of Usaha Tegas Sdn Bhd and founder of Yu Cai Foundation (YCF). Nicknamed A.K., he is es ...

, 3rd richest man in Malaysia, has a son who is a

Theravada ''Theravāda'' () ( si, ථේරවාදය, my, ထေရဝါဒ, th, เถรวาท, km, ថេរវាទ, lo, ເຖຣະວາດ, pi, , ) is the most commonly accepted name of Buddhism's oldest existing school. The school' ...

Buddhist monk known as Ajahn Siripanyo. *

Arul Kanda Kandasamy Azrul Kanda Kandasamy or better known as his birth name, Arul Kanda is the former president and chief executive officer of 1MDB, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a company owned by Minister of Finance (Incorporated) (Malaysia), a corporate b ...

, Ex-President and CEO of

1Malaysia Development Berhad 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB; ) is an insolvent Malaysian strategic development company, wholly owned by the Minister of Finance (Incorporated). 1MDB was established to drive strategic initiatives for long-term economic development ...

* Bastianpillai Paul Nicholas, first Asian banker in British Malaya * Doraisingam Pillai, CEO of Lotus chain of restaurants and companies * G. Gnanalingam, current executivei chairman of Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd * Maha Sinnathamby, founder of Greater Springfield *

Naraina Pillai Narayana Pillai was a social entrepreneur and businessman, who spent most of his life in Singapore during the colonial period. Of Tamil origins, he greatly contributed to the Tamil community in Singapore. Prior to 1819, Pillai (also spelled Nar ...

, social entrepreneur and businessman, who spent most of his life in Singapore during the colonial period; of Tamil origins, he greatly contributed to the Tamil community in Singapore * Ninian Mogan Lourdenadin * K. L. Palaniappan, architect, businessman, and executive director of MK Land * Shoba Purushothaman, co-founder of The NewsMarket * K. R. Somasundram, Head of National Land Finance Co-Operative * K. Thamboosamy Pillay, a significant figure of

Kuala Lumpur , anthem = ''Maju dan Sejahtera'' , image_map = , map_caption = , pushpin_map = Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia , pushpin_map_caption = , coordinates = , sub ...

and

Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur The Sri Mahamariamman Temple (Tamil: ஸ்ரீ மகாமாரியம்மன் திருக்கோவில்,கோலாலம்பூர்) is the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Founded in 1873, it is situ ...

Tony Fernandes Anthony Francis Fernandes (born 30 April 1964) is a Malaysian entrepreneur. He is the founder of Tune Air Sdn. Bhd., which took over the first Malaysian budget airline, AirAsia. Fernandes turned AirAsia, a failing government-linked commer ...

, Malaysian entrepreneur and founder of Tune Air Sendirian Berhad; introduced the first budget, no-frills, and

low-cost airline A low-cost carrier or low-cost airline (occasionally referred to as '' no-frills'', ''budget'' or '' discount carrier'' or ''airline'', and abbreviated as ''LCC'') is an airline that is operated with an especially high emphasis on minimizing op ...

AirAsia Capital A Berhad, () operating as AirAsia (stylized as ''airasia'') is a Malaysian multinational low-cost airline headquartered near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is the largest airline in Malaysia by fleet size and destinations. AirAsia operat ...

, to Malaysia and Asia with the tagline "Now Everyone Can Fly" * Vinod Balachandra Sekhar, businessman, president and Group Chief Executive of Putra Group * Weeratunge Edward Perera, Malaysian Sinhalese educator, businessman and social entrepreneur * A.K. Nathan * Vijay Eswaran

Comedians

Indi Nadarajah Indi Nadarajah (Tamil: இந்தி நடராஜா; born 2 July 1959) is an actor and comedian based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He regularly performs on the Malaysian stage for both public and private shows. At present, he works with fellow ...

, actor, comedian, and singer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia *

Kavin Jayaram Kavin Jayaram (born February 25, 1980) also known as Kavin Jay is a stand-up comedian and a former co-host of The REDjam on Red FM Early life Kavin was born in Malaysia and graduated from Methodist Boys' School (Kuala Lumpur) on 1997. He late ...

, stand-up comedian

Criminals

* Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam, drug trafficker

executed Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is the state-sanctioned practice of deliberately killing a person as a punishment for an actual or supposed crime, usually following an authorized, rule-governed process to conclude that t ...

Singapore Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bor ...

* Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, drug trafficker

sentenced to death Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is the state-sanctioned practice of deliberately killing a person as a punishment for an actual or supposed crime, usually following an authorized, rule-governed process to conclude that t ...

* Datchinamurthy Kataiah, drug trafficker

* Gobi Avedian, drug trafficker sentenced to 15 years' jail and ten strokes of the cane for drug trafficking in

Kalwant Singh Jogindar Singh Kalwant Singh a/l Jogindar Singh (21 October 1990 – 7 July 2022) was a Malaysian drug trafficker who was found guilty of having 60.15g of diamorphine (heroin) in his possession and trafficking 120.90g of the same substance. Kalwant along with ...

, drug trafficker

* Vignes Mourthi, drug trafficker

Dancers

* January Low Wye San (born 1985), classical dancer of Orissi and Bharathanatyam forms

Deejays and television personalities

* Jonathan Putra, television host and actor, Channel V VJ, model, and musician * Rueben Thevandran (Burn), Malaysian radio personality, television host, singer, and voice-over artist

Doctors

* M. K. Rajakumar * T. Sachithanandan * Thirunavuk Arasu Sinnathuray * Yohannan John

Fashion designer

Bernard Chandran '' Dato' Sri'' Bernard Chandran (Tamil: பர்னார்ட் சந்திரன்) (born 27 February 1968) is a Malaysian fashion designer. Chandran used to be known as Malaysia's ''"Prince of Fashion"'', but is now being hailed as M ...

, Malaysia's "King of Fashion"

Freedom fighters and nationalists

* S. A. Ganapathy, veteran of the communist underground resistance to Japanese occupation and postwar trade unionist in then Malaya; first president of the 300,000-strong Pan Malayan Federation of Trade Unions (PMFTU); was hanged by the colonial authorities in 1949 after being convicted for allegedly being in possession of firearms * Janaky Athi Nahappan, one of the earliest women involved in the fight for Malaysian (then Malaya) independence * John Thivy, founding president of the

Malayan Indian Congress The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC; ta, மலேசிய இந்திய காங்கிரஸ், Malēciya Intiya Kāṅkiras; formerly known as Malayan Indian Congress) is a Malaysian political party. It is one of the founding membe ...

* Rasammah Bhupalan, Malaysian freedom fighter and social activist * V. T. Sambanthan, a Founding Father of Independent Malaysia and the fifth president of the Malaysian Indian Congress *

V. Manickavasagam V. Manickavasagam ( ta, மாணிக்கவாசகம் பிள்ளை, Māṇikkavācakam piḷḷai; 4 October 1926 – 12 October 1979) was a Malaysian politician who served as Minister of Communications. He was a member and s ...

, Malaysian freedom fighter and the sixth president of the Malaysian Indian Congress * R. G. Balan

Journalists

M. G. G. Pillai MGG Pillai (1939 – 28 April 2006) was a Malaysian journalist and political activist. He was one of the country's pioneers in Internet-based journalism and activism. His parents were immigrants from Kerala, India. His great maternal uncle, Thak ...

, political activist and journalist * Rehman Rashid, journalist

Legal authorities

* Augustine Paul * Balasubramaniam Perumal *

Baltej Singh Dhillon The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP; french: Gendarmerie royale du Canada; french: GRC, label=none), commonly known in English as the Mounties (and colloquially in French as ) is the federal police, federal and national police service of ...

, first Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer allowed to wear a turban * Gengadharan Nair,

high courts of Malaysia The high courts in Malaysia are the third-highest courts in the hierarchy of courts, after the Federal Court and the Court of Appeal. Article 121 of the Constitution of Malaysia provides that there shall be two high courts of co-ordinate jurisdi ...

K. S. Rajah Kasinather Saunthararajah (3 March 1930 – 17 June 2010), known professionally as K. S. Rajah, was a Senior Counsel and Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court of Singapore, Supreme Court of Singapore. Born in Penang, he came to Singapor ...

, Senior Counsel and former Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court of Singapore * G. Rama Iyer * K. Thanabalasingam * Steven Thiru, prominent Malaysian lawyer and former President of Malaysian Bar. * Tommy Thomas, barrister and former Attorney General of Malaysia

Literary figures

Charlene Rajendran Charlene Rajendran (born 1964 in Malacca) is a Malaysian writer based in Singapore. She currently teaches theatre at the Nanyang Technological University. Published works Rajendran's first book was a collection of poetry called ''Mangosteen Crum ...

* John Davies, archivist, writer, and received the prestigious

Ahli Mangku Negara The Most Esteemed Order of the Defender of the Realm ( ms, Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negara) is a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service to the country. The Order Motto are 'Dipeliharakan Allah-Pangkuan Negara' (By the Grace o ...

award * K. S. Maniam, novelist and academician *

Munshi Abdullah Abdullah bin Abdul al Kadir (1796–1854) ( ar, عبد الله بن عبد القادر ') also known as Munshi Abdullah, was a Malayan writer of mixed ancestry. He was a famous Malacca-born munshi of Singapore and died in Jeddah, a part of t ...

, early Malayan historian and the father of modern Malay literature *

Preeta Samarasan Preeta Samarasan is a Malaysian author writing in English whose first novel, ''Evening Is the Whole Day'', won the Hopwood Novel Award (while she was doing her MFA at the University of Michigan), was a finalist for the Commonwealth Writers Prize 2 ...

, finalist for the Commonwealth Writers Prize 2009 *

Rani Manicka Rani Manicka is a Malaysian-born novelist, who divides her time between Malaysia and the United Kingdom. Background, education Manicka grew up in Terengganu and attended the University of Malaysia, where she received a business degree. ''The R ...

, author and novelist * Selvakkumar Thirunavukarasu, author, columnist, radio and television personality on Vastu Shastra and ancient secrets * Shamini Flint * Malachi Edwin Vethamani, Malaysian-born Indian poet, writer, editor, bibliographer, academic and critic * Uthaya Sankar SB, Malaysian writer

Martial artists

Joe Thambu Joseph 'Joe' Haridas Thambu (24 March 1961 in Seremban, Malaysia) is a teacher of Yoshinkan Aikido, currently ranked 8th Dan, Shihan. Personal history Thambu was the third youngest of eight children from Malaysian Tamil heritage. He began his ...

Malaynauts

* S. Vanajah, one of the finalists for Malaysia's

Angkasawan program The ''Angkasawan program'' was an initiative by the Malaysian government to send a Malaysian to the International Space Station on board Soyuz TMA-11. The program was named after the Malay word for astronaut, ''Angkasawan''. It resulted in Shei ...

Mountaineers

* M. Moorthy, member of the first group of Malaysians to successfully climb Mount Everest *

M. Magendran Datuk M. Magendran PJN DSPN JSM KMN AMS ( Tamil: எம். மகேந்திரன்) born Magendran M. Munisamy on 6 December 1963 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) is the first Malaysian mountain climber to conquer the summit of Mount E ...

, the first Malaysian Man who climbed the Mount Everest on 1997

Musicians

* Alvin Anthons, entertainer, professional emcee, event manager, radio DJ and singer * Ash Nair, Malaysian alternative musician and former contestant of season two of ''

Malaysian Idol ''Malaysian Idol'' is the Malaysian version of the Idol Series that started in UK, similar to shows such as UK's '' Pop Idol'' and ''American Idol'' in the franchise. This show is a contest to determine the best young singer in Malaysia, with t ...

'' * C Loco, now known as Sashi C Loco, co-founder of Poetic Ammo *

Chakra Sonic Viveck Ji Of (Chakra Sonic), born April 8, 1976, is a Malaysian hip hop artist. He is a Malaysian Indian, Tamil by ethnicity. Viveck Ji owns the record label (DISS THA STUDIO) and music publishing company, releasing his own recordings as well ...

, Malaysian hip hop musician *

Dave Gahan Dave may refer to: Film, television, and theater * ''Dave'' (film), a 1993 film starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver * ''Dave'' (musical), a 2018 stage musical adaptation of the film * Dave (TV channel), a digital television channel in the ...

, English singer-songwriter, member of Depeche Mode; father is Malaysian-Indian *

David Arumugam Dato’ Thiagarajan K.R. Arumugam (born 3 May 1950), known by his stage name David Arumugam, is a Malaysian musician and singer who is one of the founding members of the band called Alleycats. He is the elder brother of Loganathan Arumugam. O ...

, Malaysian singer and founder of Alleycats * Dhilip Varman, singer, lyricist, and composer * Gerald Sellan, songwriter, composer and drum player for Malaysian/American rock band, Beat the system *

Guy Sebastian Guy Theodore Sebastian (born 26 October 1981) is an Australian singer and songwriter who was the winner of the first ''Australian Idol'' in 2003, judge on Australia's ''The X Factor'' from 2010 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2016, and coach ...

, Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter who was the first winner of '' Australian Idol'' in 2003; currently a judge on the Australian version of ''The X Factor'' *

Harikrish Menon Haze (born Harikrish Menon Ramachandran 2 June 1973, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) is a singer-songwriter, known for his work in the dance music genre, with hit singles such as "Changes" and "Freak". Musical career He began his professional career ...

, singer and songwriter *

Jaclyn Victor Jaclyn Joshua Thanaraj Victor (born 4 December 1978) is a Malaysian singer, songwriter, actress & businesswoman who won the inaugural ''Malaysian Idol'', ''Ikon Malaysia'' & ''Gegar Vaganza Season 9''. As the winner of ''Malaysian Idol'', she wo ...

, winner of the first ''Malaysian Idol'' and current number-one pop singer of Malaysia; acted in many Malaysian and Tamil movies *

Kamahl Kandiah Kamalesvaran ( ta, கந்தையா கமலேஸ்வரன்; born 13 November 1934), better known by his stage name Kamahl, is a Malaysian-born Australian singer and recording artist. His highest charting Australian single, ...

, cabaret or easy listening singer and recording artist *

Loganathan Arumugam Loganathan Arumugam (15 July 1953 – 4 June 2007), better known as Loga, was a Malaysian musician and singer who was one of the founding members of the band Alleycats. Loga was one of the lead singers of Alleycats along with his elder brother ...

, Malaysian singer * Moots, frontman and rapper for the famous rap rock band Pop Shuvit * Manjit Singh Gill * Prema Lucas *

Prema Yin Prema Yin Ranee A/P Kali Kavandan (born 3 October 1986), known by her stage name Prema Yin, is a Malaysian singer musician and former contestant of '' Who Will Win Malaysia Topstar'', where she first became widely known to the public. Biograph ...

, Malaysian musician and singer *

Prashanthini Prashanthini is an Indian playback singer, singing predominantly in Tamil. She is the daughter of Malaysia Vasudevan and the sister of Yugendran. Career Prashanthini first began her playback career with Harris Jayaraj for the movie '' 12B''. H ...

, playback singer in Tamil cinema * Reshmonu, singer-songwriter from Malaysia who does mostly English songs * Ronnie Pereira, lead guitarist and singer of the 1970s band Revolvers * Shanmugam Arumugam, guitarist * Shree Chandran, rapper and music producer * Stewart Sellan, electric and acoustic guitar player for Malaysian/American rock band, Beat the System * Sukhjit Singh Gill, member of Goldkartz *

Tanita Tikaram Tanita Tikaram (born 12 August 1969) is a British pop/ folk singer-songwriter. She achieved chart success with the singles "Twist in My Sobriety" and " Good Tradition" from her 1988 debut album, ''Ancient Heart''. Background Tikaram was born i ...

, British pop-folk singer-songwriter *

Malaysia Vasudevan Vasudevan (15 June 1944 – 20 February 2011), known as Malaysia Vasudevan, was a Malaysian-Indian playback singer and actor in Tamil cinema. Early life Malaysia Vasudevan's parents were from Palakkad. Chattu Nair of Ottappalam and Amma ...

, Tamil playback singer and actor in the Tamil film industry * Yogi B, often referred to as Kavidhai Kundargal; known as the godfather of Tamil rap; currently famous rapper in

Kollywood Tamil cinema, also known as Kollywood is a part of Indian Cinema; primarily engaged in production of motion pictures in the Tamil language. Based out of the Kodambakkam neighbourhood in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, it is popularly called ''Kollywood ...

; co-founder of Poetic Ammo *

Yugendran Yugendran (born Yugendran Vasudevan on 20 December 1976) is an Indian actor and singer who has sung hundreds of songs in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. He is also an occasional music director and host. Personal life Yugendran is the son of the ...

, playback singer in Tamil cinema

Politicians

Religious

* Ven. Dr. Kirinde Sri Dhammananda Nāyaka Thero, Sri Lankan Buddhist monk and scholar, often regarded as Chief High Priest of Malaysia and Singapore * Ven. Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana, Sri Lankan Buddhist monk and instrumental in setting up Ti-Ratana Welfare Society *

Antony Selvanayagam Antony Selvanayagam is the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Penang, Malaysia. He was elected by Pope John Paul II as the 4th bishop of Penang after the transfer of his predecessor, Bishop Anthony Soter Fernandez to the Archdiocese of Kuala ...

, Bishop Emeritus of the

Diocese of Penang The Roman Catholic Diocese of Penang is situated in the northern region of Malaysia covering 5 states, namely Penang, Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Kelantan. It was created on 25 February 1955 together with the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. It is ...

Anthony Soter Fernandez Anthony Soter Fernandez (22 April 1932 – 28 October 2020) was a Malaysian prelate of the Catholic Church who was the first Malaysian cardinal. He was Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur from 1983 to 2003. Biography Anthony Soter Fernandez was born ...

, Archbishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur *

Murphy Pakiam , enthroned =29 May 2003 , ended = 13 December 2013 , predecessor = Anthony Soter Fernandez , successor = Julian Leow Beng Kim , ordination = 10 May 1964 , consecration = 4 October 1995 , other_post = , birth_name = , birth_date = , b ...

, metropolitan archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese

Scientists

Alastair Robinson Alastair S. Robinson (born 1980) is a taxonomist and field botanist specialising in the carnivorous plant genus ''Nepenthes'', for which he is regarded as a world authority.Ellison, A. & Adamec, L. eds., 2017. Contributing Author Information ...

* Mahaletchumy Arujunan, listed as one of the 100 most influential people in the field of biotechnology by the 7th edition of ''The Scientist American Worldwide View: A Global Biotechnology Perspective Journal'' *

Satwant Singh Dhaliwal Dr. Satwant Singh Dhaliwal ( pa, ਸਤਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਧਾਲੀਵਾਲ, Satavata sigha dhālīvāla; 29 January 1933 – 6 February 2015)'Obituary of Santwant Singh Dhaliwal,' in The Star (Petaling Jaya, Malaysia), 7 February 2015, P ...

, Malaysian geneticist, academic and author * B. C. Shekhar

Surveyors

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Dato Sr K Sri Kandan
Chairman of AECOM (M).

Sportspeople

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Malaysians of Indian descent

Indian Indian or Indians may refer to: Peoples South Asia * Indian people, people of Indian nationality, or people who have an Indian ancestor ** Non-resident Indian, a citizen of India who has temporarily emigrated to another country * South Asia ...

Lists of people of Indian descent Indian diaspora in Malaysia Lists of Indian people