Year 1999
Anwar Ibrahim Freed
Thursday, 2nd September 2004
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim walked out a free man after the Federal Court in a 2-1 majority decision allows his appeal against the conviction for sodomy. While Judge Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad and Judge Tengku Baharudin Shah Tengku Mahmud ruled in Anwar's favour. Judge Datin Paduka Rahman Hussein was not in favor of Anwar. However, the all the judges noted "We find evidence to confirm that the appellants were involved in homosexual activities and we are more inclined to believe that the alleged incident at Tivoli Villa (Bangsar, KL) did happen." Anwar completed his term for corruption after his sentence was being reduced for good behaviour.
School Launching of PPSMI
Friday, 3rd January 2003
Implementation of Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris (PPSMI) or the Teaching Science and Mathematics in English which was launched this school year. English is used as the medium of instruction for teaching Science and Maths in Primary One, Form One, Lower Six and Matriculation classes.
Teaching of Maths and Science in English
Monday, 29th July 2002
Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris (PPSMI) is the outcome of a policy decision made by the Government of Malaysia as the result from the Minister’s Council Meeting held on 19 July 2002. Realizing that poor English skills hurt graduates competing for work against people from other countries, especially neighboring Singapore, ex-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad launched a program to resume teaching math and science in English. Most other subjects are taught in Malay. The implementation of PPSMI was carried out in stages beginning with the 2003 schooling session. The pioneers were all Year 1 students for Primary Schools, Form 1 and Lower 6 students for Secondary Schools.
Anwar Jailed For Corruption
Wednesday, 14th April 1999
After 77 days of trial, Anwar is sentenced to six years’ jail by High Court Justice S. Augustine Paul on four counts of corrupt practice. The trial was started in November 1998 and resulted in Anwar Ibrahim being convicted and given a 6 years prison sentence on four counts of corruption.
Azizah Ismail Formed A New Political Party
Sunday, 4th April 1999
Azizah Ismail, the wife of Anwar Ibrahim, announced the formation of the National Justice Party and called on opposition forces to topple Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
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.
Capital controls for Stock Market
Tuesday, 1st September 1998
Capital controls were imposed on the stock market. Foreigners holding stocks were not allowed to take their money out of the country for one year. Dr. Mahathir ordered that the austerity measures of Anwar Ibrahim be rolled back.
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.