As 2024 draws to a close, FMT looks back at the lives and times of those who had served and protected the country, as well as others who contributed to its development — socially or economically.

T Ananda Krishnan, 86

Nov 28

T Ananda Krishnan, who was listed by Forbes in April as the third richest person in the country, was the founder of Maxis Bhd and Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd.

Ananda, a Harvard Business School alumnus, also helped to set up Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil company.

He had supported various causes, notably co-organising Live Aid, a multi-venue benefit concert to raise funds for those affected by the famine in Ethiopia, with Bob Geldof in 1985.

Daim Zainuddin, 86

Nov 13

Daim Zainuddin served as Malaysia’s finance minister twice, both times in the Dr Mahathir Mohamad administration.

In his first stint from 1984 to 1991, he implemented structural adjustments to strengthen the country’s economy. He returned for a second stint from 1999 to 2001 to deal with the economic challenges caused by the Asian financial crisis.

Manjeet Singh Dhillon, 82

Oct 28

Manjeet Singh Dhillon was with the Attorney-General’s Chambers until the late 1970s when he went into private practice. He served as the Malaysian Bar president from 1991 to 1992

Manjeet was involved in several high-profile cases. He was defence counsel for one of the accused in the Sosilawati Lawiya murder trial, and also acted for Abdul Razak Baginda in the RM100 million civil suit filed by Altantuya Shaariibuu’s family.

He once served as president of the Royal Lake Club.

Raja Petra Kamarudin, 74

Sept 9

Blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, better known by his initials, RPK, was behind the controversial Malaysia Today website. He had been detained under the Internal Security Act twice, in 2001 and 2008.

Raja Petra, who had lived in Manchester for several years, died as a result of a blood infection that spread to his lungs and liver.

Jay Jay, of Carefree, 67

Aug 4

Jay Jay, whose real name was Fauzi Darus, underwent heart bypass surgery at the National Heart Institute on May 23, after being admitted two days earlier for a mild heart attack.

Known for his hit, “Rindu Bayangan”, Jay Jay rose to fame with Carefree in 1979 before going solo in 1984. He had won several awards, including Most Popular Male Singer at the 1988 Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian.

Noor Farida Ariffin, 76

June 27

Noor Farida Ariffin, a co-founder of the G25 group of prominent retired civil servants, served as Malaysia’s ambassador to the Netherlands from 2000 to 2007 before becoming director-general of Wisma Putra’s research, treaties and international law department.

After retiring in 2012, she became a trustee for the Women’s Aid Organisation. In 2019, she was appointed chairman of the Human Resources Development Fund.

Hanif Omar, 85

April 20

Hanif Omar was appointed inspector-general of police (IGP) on June 8, 1974, when he was only 35. He led the police force until his retirement on Jan 15, 1994.

Hanif, who was born in Teluk Intan, Perak, rose quickly in the force, becoming Melaka police chief on Sept 7, 1970, and Selangor police chief on Dec 6, 1971. He was appointed deputy IGP on Feb 1, 1973.

Joseph Kurup, 79

April 17

Joseph Kurup, a former federal minister, co-founded Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) before establishing Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) in 1994.

He served as Sabah deputy chief minister from 1986 to 1990, and again from 1994 to 1999. He was appointed national unity minister in 2013 and served in the position until his retirement from politics in 2018, passing his Pensiangan seat to his son Arthur, now the deputy agriculture and food security minister.

Sister Enda Ryan, 95

April 7

Sister Enda Ryan, born Eileen Philomena Ryan on Dec 30, 1928 in Ireland, was the founder of Assunta primary and secondary schools. She retired as headmistress after 31 years of service in education.

She also played a key role in developing Ave Maria Clinic, now Assunta Hospital.

Sister Enda, who became a Malaysian citizen in October 1966, had received numerous awards, including the Darjah Kebesaran Dato’ Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (DSIS), which carried the title “Datin Paduka”.

Aunty Bersih, 78

March 26

Annie Ooi, better known as Aunty Bersih, was a retired English teacher from Penang who never missed a major rally.

She braved tear gas and water cannons while marching for Malaysian democracy on July 9, 2011. Bersih executive director Ooi Kok Hin described her as a symbol of the ordinary citizens’ struggle for democracy in Malaysia.

Abdul Taib Mahmud, 87

Feb 21

Abdul Taib Mahmud led the Sarawak state government for 33 years from 1981 to 2014, making him Malaysia’s longest-serving state leader.

He was the second-longest serving MP, representing Kota Samarahan for 38 years (1970-2008), and was Sarawak governor from 2014 until late January this year.

Taib was widely credited with developing the state through numerous infrastructure projects and had been described by Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg as the “father of modern Sarawak”.