List of Malaysians of Chinese descent

This is a list of prominent Malaysian Chinese people, categorised by profession.

Artists

Film

• Amber Chia (谢丽萍) - International model and actress
• Angelica Lee Sin Je (李心洁) - award winning actress
• Carmen Soo - International model and actress
• Carrie Lee Sze Kei(李詩琪) - International Actress / Host; Miss Chinese Cosmos International 2004/05 Champion [ Phoenix TV Hong Kong ]
• Chen Han Wei - leading television actor in Singapore; has won Best TV Actor twice
• Christopher Lee - leading television actor in Singapore; has also acted in joint China-Taiwan-HK-Singapore productions
• James Lee - Film director
• James Wan - Film director
• Ling Tan (Tan Mang Ling) - International model
• Lyndel Soon - International actress
• Dato' Michelle Yeoh (杨紫琼) - International actress
• Ng Tian Hann - director
• Phyllis Quek - television actress who has acted in Singapore, Taiwan and China drama serials
• Tan Chui Mui - film director, has won an award in Pusan Film Festival 2006.
• Tsai Ming-liang (蔡明亮) - Taiwan-based award winning director
• Angie Cheung, Hong Kong actress
• Hannah Tan, singer and actress
• Vivien Yeo (楊秀惠) - television actress who has acted in Hong Kong movies and serials
• Koe Yeet - television and movie actress

Fine arts

• Yong Mun Sen, 杨曼生 - (1896–1962) Kuching born Penangite watercolorist and Malaysian artist.The Father of Malaysian Painting. One of the founder of Nanyang Acadeny of Fine Arts or NAFA, Singapore, Penang Art Society. [1]
• C. N. Liew - K.L. born Malaysian artist who took the traditional artform of Calligraphy to a whole new dimension with his creation of Surrealligraphy.

Popular music

• Ah Niu (Tan Kheng Seong, 阿牛/陈庆祥) - singer
• Danell Lee Chieh Hun (李桀汉) - singer who won the second season of Malaysian Idol
• Eric Moo (巫启贤) - Taiwan-based singer].
• Fish Leong (梁静茹) - Taiwan-based singer
• Guang Liang (王光良) - singer
• Karen Kong (龚建诗) - singer from Labuan island, East Malaysia. She performs in Malay, which is quite unique for a Malaysian Chinese singer.
• Lin Jian Hui (林健辉) - singer
• Nicholas Teo (张栋梁) - singer
• Penny Tai (戴佩妮) - singer-songwriter who won the best composer in the 17th Golden Melody Awards
• Quincy Tan (陈仁丰) - singer-songwriter
• Reno (蕾诺) - Female singer-songwriter who won The Best Chinese Act in Malaysia VIMA2010(Voice Independents Music Award)
• Victor Wong (黄品冠) - singer-composer
• Gary Cao (曹格) - singer-composer
• Che'Nelle also Cheryline Lim - Popular international pop singer
• Namewee Wee Meng Chee - Singer-composer who evoked controversy due to his music video Negarakuku
• Vince Chong - Singer

Authors

• Tash Aw - author of The Harmony Silk Factory, which made the Man Booker Prize 2005 longlist and won the 2005 Whitbread First Novel award

Inventor

• Pua Khein-Seng (潘建成) - CEO of Phison Electronics Corporation, arguably one of the inventors of USB flash drive.

Business people

• Cheong Yoke Choy - philanthropist during the British Malaya era
• Dato' Choong Chin Liang - Businessman and Philanthropist, "Heart Man" of Ipoh
• Foo Choo Choon - A Hakka tin miner, revenue farmer and businessman from Penang and Perak was, in his time, said to have been the richest Chairman in the world.
• Chung Keng Quee - first Malaysian-Chinese capitalist, innovator in tin mining, owner of the largest mine of all in the country, at that time, the Kong Loon Kongsi, in Kamunting, Perak, and with business interests in Mergui, Peru, Hong Kong and China, founder of the Penang Chinese Town Hall.
• Chung Thye Phin - the first Malaysian-Chinese miner to have introduced the latest appliances on the mines, under the supervision of a European engineer, founder of the Toh Allang Chinese Tin Company in Perak, the first Chinese limited liability company, in 1925, founder of the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
• Eu Tong Sen - founder of Eu Yan Sang
• Loke Yew - businessman and philanthropist during British Malaya
• Late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong - Billionaire businessman who developed Genting Highlands and owns Genting Group
• Tan Sri Dato' Sri Lee Loy Seng - Founder of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad
• Robert Kuok - The richest man in Malaysia and Southeast Asia 2011.
• Lee Kim Hua - Widow of late Mr Lim Goh Tong, mother of Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, is the 5th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng - Chairman/CEO of Malaysian conglomerate IOI Group, the 2nd richest person in Malaysia 2011
• Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan, Chairman and co-founder of Hong Leong Group, is the 5th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow, Chairman and founder, Public Bank,is the 6th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay - Founder of YTL Group, the 7th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Tan Sri Vincent Tan - Businessman, owner of Berjaya Group, is the 9th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Tan Sri Datuk Sir Tiong Hiew King - The media and timber tycoon, controls Chinese media, Ming Pao and Sin Chew Jit Poh, Managing Director/CEO of Rimbunan Hijau Group, the 10th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Datuk Lee Oi Hian & Datuk Lee Hau Hian - The 11th richest person in Malaysia in 2011.
• Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay - Current Genting Group's CEO, the 13th richest person in Malaysia in 2011.
• Tan Sri William Cheng - Chairman of Lion Group which also owns Parkson Group, the 16th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah - Sunway Group founder and chairman, the 19th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Goh Peng Ooi - Founder and Executive Chairman of Silverlake Axis Ltd, the 21th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Lau Cho Kun - Managing Director of Hap Seng Consolidated, the 22th richest person in Malaysia in 2011.
• Dr Chia Song Kun - Founder and managing Director of QL Resources, the 24th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai - The world's largest producer of rubber gloves Top Glove's founder and Executive Chairman/CEO, the 25th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Tan Sri Dr Chen Lip Keong - Founder and CEO of NagaCorp Cambodia, the largest gaming and hotel operator in Cambodia, the 26th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Yaw Teck Seng & Yaw Chee Ming - Father Yaw Teck Seng, the founder of Hong Kong listing Sarawak Forestry group Samling group. Eldest son Yaw Chee Ming is current CEO of the company. The family is now ranked 27th richest person/family in Malaysia 2011.
• Chan Fong Ann - The 28th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Puan Sri Datin Chong Chook Yew - Chairperson of Selangor Properties Berhad, the 29th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Tan Sri Dato' Sri Liew Kee Sin -Runs property developer and infrastructure company SP Setia.
• Ong Leong Huat - CEO of OSK Holdings Berhad, the 32th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Ir. Lee Swee Eng - Managing Director of KNM Group, the 34th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Datuk Tiah Thee Kian - Non-Independent Non-Executive Chairman of TA Enterprice, the 35th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Dato' Lin Yun Ling - Founder of Gamuda Berhad, the 38th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Datuk David Law Tien Seng - The 39th richest person in Malaysia 2011.
• Jimmy Choo - London-based shoe designer
• Lillian Too - Feng Shui master
• Francis Yeoh - Runs YTL Group, son of Yeoh Tiong Lay
• Zang Toi - 5th Avenue New York fashion designer
• Loh Boon Siew of Boon Siew Honda
• Joel Neoh, winner of The Firm (TV series) and Malaysian Youth Entrepreneurship pioneer.
• Tan Sri Tan Chia Kok Henry - The 100th richest person in Sarawak 2011
• Dato' Chan Tien Ghee - Current chairman of Cardiff City Football Club, England.
• Mark Chang Mun Kee - Founder of MOL AccessPortal and JobStreet.com, current CEO of JobStreet.com.
• Dato' Teow Peng Hee - Main asset, second son, Edward Teow huge

Politicians

• Chung Keng Quee - Leader of the "Five Associations" or Go-Kuan and the Hai San, Kapitan China of Perak and Penang, member of the Commission for the Pacification of Larut, founding member of the Perak State Council, appointed by Imperial patent of the Ch'ing Emperor as Tzu-cheng ta-fu, and Expectant Intendant of a Circuit of the fourth rank
• Chung Thye Phin - Last Kapitan China of Perak, member of Perak State Council
• Chung Kok Ming - Member of Perak State Council, member of the Federal Council of the Federated Malay States
• Hang Li Po - The wife of Malacca's Sultan Mansur Shah (1456–1477); related to the Ming royal court
• Yap Ah Loy - Kapitan Cina of Kuala Lumpur
• Yap Kwan Seng - Last Chinese Kapitan of Kuala Lumpur
• Tan Cheng Lock - Founder of Malayan Chinese Association
• Tan Siew Sin - First Minister of Commerce
• Ong Ka Ting - Former MCA president
• Ong Tee Keat - Former MCA president
• Lim Chong Eu - Former Chief Minister of the State of Penang, known as "Architect of Modern Penang"
• Lim Kit Siang - Current DAP Advisor, Once an ISA detainee after Operasi Lalang
• Lim Guan Eng - Current Chief Minister of the State of Penang
• Chua Soi Lek - Current MCA President
• Chua Tee Yong - Son of Chua Soi Lek, current Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister of Malaysia.
• Wee Ka Siong - Current Deputy Education Minister I of Malaysia, Member of Parliament for Ayer Hitam Johor, MCA Youth Chief.
• Jing Lee - South Australian Politician.
• Kong Cho Ha - Current Minister of Housing and Local Government Malaysia.
• Liow Tiong Lai - Current Minister of Health Malaysia.
• Peter Chin Fah Kui - Current Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Malaysia.
• Ng Yen Yen - Current Minister of Tourism Malaysia.
• Chor Chee Heung - Current Minister of Housing and Local Government Malaysia.
• Koh Tsu Koon - Current Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Malaysia.
• Liew Vui Keong - Current Deputy Minister in The Prime Minister's Department Malaysia.
• Yong Khoon Seng - Current Deputy Ministry of Works Malaysia.
• Tan Lian Hoe - Current Deputy Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerisme Malaysia.
• Hou Kok Chung - Current Deputy Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.
• Heng Seai Kie - Current Deputy Ministry of Women, Family And Community Development Malaysia.
• Lee Chee Leong - Current Deputy Ministry of Home Affairs Malaysia.
• Donald Lim Siang Chai - Current Deputy Ministry of Finance Malaysia.
• Gan Ping Shou - Current Deputy Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia.
• Tan Hiok Nee - The wealthiest and most influential Chinese in Johor during 19th century, Johor Kapitan China, the second leader of the Ngee Heng Kongsi of Johor, one of the Kangchu Johor. Jalan Tan Hiok Nee in Johor Bahru is name after him.
• Wong Ah Fook - One of the most famous Kangchu Johor and Chinese Entrepreneur in Johor during 19th century. Jalan Wong Ah Fook in Johor Bahru is name after him.
• Koh Lay Huan (甲必丹辜禮歡) - First Kapitan China Penang.

Judges/Lawyers

• Ong Hock Thye - former Chief Justice of Malaya
• Chang Min Tat - former Federal Court judge
• Roger Tan Kor Mee - former Malaysian Bar Council member and Media Columnist

Sports

• Chung Thye Yong - first Chinese rugby player in the country, first racehorse owner in the country
• Chung Kok Ming - one of the finest tennis players in the country, in his time and first Asian committee member of the Perak Turf Club
• Eddy B. Choong - four times All England Badminton Champion
• Soh Chin Aun - former National football captain
• Tan Aik Huang - All England Badminton Champion
• Wong Peng Soon - four times All England Badminton Champion
• Alex Yoong - F1 racer
• Brendan Gan - Footballer (Soccer) that is currently playing for Sydney FC
• Ng Joo Ngan - former Commonwealth cycling (road race) champion
• Lee Chong Wei - Proton Malaysia Open Badminton Champion 2004-2006, ABC Champion 2006, Commonwealth Games Badminton Champion 2006, Olympic Badminton Finalist 2008
• Nicol David - world number 1 in women's squash

Others

• Ngeow Sze Chan - Chinese physician
• Sophie Lian Wan Mei - House Elf to Rachel Lian Wan Fen. Possesses a "hammer wrist". Hits people for no reason.