Year 1981
Abdul Malek arrested
Friday, 25th September 1998
Abdul Malek was arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA), at the height of the "Reformasi" (Reforms) demonstrations following the sacking and arrest of deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. In 2007 a Malaysian court awarded Malek 740,000 dollars for his wrongful arrest and assault in custody. It was the first time that a Malaysian court had awarded significant compensation for illegal detention and abuse.
Anwar Arrested Under ISD
Sunday, 20th September 1998
Anwar is arrested under the Internal Security Act 1960, after leading a street demonstration with tens of thousands Malaysian against Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Later in the night, he is assaulted while he in a lock-up in Bukit Aman.
Anwar Ibrahim Sacked
Wednesday, 2nd September 1998
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is sacked as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. He was fired after months of economic policy differences with the Malaysia's Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. The was expel from UMNO by UMNO supreme council a day after.
Boat People Sent Home
Thursday, 18th April 1996
Malaysia was to send about 1200 Vietnamese boat people back home.
McDonald Opened At Bukit Bintang
Thursday, 29th April 1982
McDonald's Malaysia opened its first restaurant at Jalan Bukit Bintang (Kuala Lumpur) by Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun of Berjaya Group Bhd.
Dr Mahathir became the Prime Minister of Malaysia
Thursday, 16th July 1981
Dr. Mahathir became the Prime Minister of Malaysia when Tun Hussein Onn stepped down due to health reasons. Mahathir was the nation's first Prime Minister that came from a modest social background. The first three prime ministers were members of the royal or elite families. Dr Mahathir was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He was to hold on to this post for the next 22 years till 2003.
Dr Mahathir Appointed as Deputy Prime Minister
Friday, 15th September 1978
Tun Hussein Onn appointed Mahathir as Deputy Prime Minister and in a Cabinet reshuffle, appointed him concurrently as the Minister of Trade and Industry.
Tun Abdul Razak Visit Singapore
Sunday, 11th November 1973
Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak and his wife Toh Puan Rahah had a cordial welcome by Singapore when they flew in today for a three-day official visit. They were met on arrival at Singapore's Paya Lebar Airport by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Mrs Lee, Cabinet ministers and members of the diplomatic corps. This was the first official visit of a Malaysian Prime Minister to Singapore since the Republic became independent in August 1965.
Dr Mahathir Rejoined UMNO
Tuesday, 7th March 1972
Mahathir rejoined UMNO and was subsquently appointed as Senator in 1973. He relinquished the senatorship post in 1974 in order to contest in the general elections where he was returned unopposed in the constituency of Kubang Pasu, and was appointed as the Minister of Education.
Dr Mahathir sacked from UMNO Supreme Council
Saturday, 12th July 1969
Mahathir was sacked from the UMNO Supreme Council, following his widespread distribution to the public of his letter to Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister at that time about his handling of the race riots of 13 May 1969. In his letter, he had criticised the manner in which Tunku Abdul Rahman had handled the country's administration which was believed to favour the ethnic Chinese. Mahathir was subsequently expel of his party membership on 26 September 1969. Mahathir joined UMNO at its inception in 1946.