Year 1998

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.


KLIA Opens

Wednesday, 3rd June 1998

The new Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) began operations. The airport located about 50 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur city and was built at a cost of about US$3.5 billion. KLIA replaces Subang Airport as KL International Airport.


Riots in 4 detention camps

Thursday, 26th March 1998

Riots flared in 4 detention camps that housed mainly Indonesian illegal immigrants. The Internal Security Act allowed the detention without trial of people caught helping illegals. 8 inmates and one policeman were killed. Over 200 inmates escaped from one camp.