Anwar Ibrahim said Yeoh has made Malaysia proud on the international stage by being the first Asian to win the award.

“I hope her achievement would inspire the creatives in our local entertainment industry. Congratulations, from all Malaysians,” he said on Facebook today.

Women, family and community development minister Nancy Shukri, youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh, and former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob were among the host of politicians who congratulated the Ipoh-born actress.

Former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said Yeoh was a huge inspiration to all women and Malaysians, while former transport minister Wee Ka Siong thanked Yeoh for “breaking the glass ceiling and making us Malaysians proud”.

Malaysian Artistes Association (Seniman) president Rozaidi Jamil, better known as Zed Zaidi, told FMT that Yeoh’s achievements have set a new bar for Malaysian artistes to follow.

“Yeoh’s achievements serve as an inspiration and a reminder that talent and hard work can take you far, regardless of your background or where you come from,” he said.

Former national badminton champion Lee Chong Wei, who once said Yeoh was among his pick of the best artistes in Malaysia, called her “remarkable” and a “superhero”.

The former Bond girl won the Oscar for her role as Evelyn Wang in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”. She beat out Cate Blanchett, Ana de Armas, Andrea Riseborough and Michelle Williams.

Yeoh’s Oscar win is the latest in her impressive line of achievements and accolades, including winning best actress at the recent Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Spirit awards, and January’s Golden Globes.