1986
| Currency Rate to USD | 2.58 |
| GDP Per Capita (USD) | 1783 |
| Population (millions) | 15.8 |
| Nasi Lemak Price | RM0.45 |
| Teh Tarik Price | RM0.25 |
| Urban Population Percentage | 44.8% |
New Economic Policy Era
After racial riots in 1969, the government launched the NEP to reduce poverty and economic disparity, especially among Malays and indigenous folks.
Mahathir Era
Mahathir Mohamad’s long premiership brought ambitious modernisation: highways, skyscrapers (yes, Petronas Twin Towers), national car (Proton), new administrative centres.
Cold War
After WWII, the world splits into blocs—capitalist West led by U.S., communist East led by USSR. People everywhere feel the pressure: fear of nuclear annihilation, propaganda, ideological influence in media and education, proxy wars in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
1986 Sabah riots
The 1986 Sabah riots, known as 'The Silent Riot,' were a series of political disturbances in Sabah, Malaysia, from March to May 1986, triggered by the 1985 state election victory of the United Sabah Party (PBS).
Resignation of Musa Hitam
On 18 February 1986, Musa Hitam resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs of Malaysia, citing irreconcilable differences with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
1986 Malaysian General Election
The 1986 Malaysian general election, held on 2 and 3 August 1986, resulted in a landslide victory for the Barisan Nasional coalition, securing 148 of 177 parliamentary seats and affirming Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's leadership amid economic reforms and political consolidation.
Execution of Barlow and Chambers
The execution by hanging of Australian citizens Kevin Barlow and Brian Chambers in Malaysia on 7 July 1986 for heroin trafficking was the first instance of Westerners facing capital punishment under the country's stringent anti-drug laws, leading to diplomatic tensions between Malaysia and Australia amid a global crackdown on narcotics.
1986 Pudu Prison Siege
The 1986 Pudu Prison siege was Malaysia's first major prison hostage crisis, lasting six days from 17 to 23 October 1986, when inmates led by Jimmy Chua Chap Seng took two staff members hostage in a desperate bid for escape amid overcrowding and harsh conditions at the notorious Kuala Lumpur facility.
Langkawi's Designation as a Duty-Free Island
On December 6, 1986, the Malaysian government declared Langkawi a duty-free zone, exempting it from customs duties to boost tourism and economic development in the underdeveloped archipelago.
Deposit-Taking Co-operative Scandal of 1986
The 1986 deposit-taking co-operative (DTC) scandal in Malaysia exposed vulnerabilities in the unregulated co-operative sector, leading to the collapse of several institutions, massive financial losses for over 500,000 depositors, and significant regulatory reforms.
