1990
| Currency Rate to USD | 2.7 |
| GDP Per Capita (USD) | 2374 |
| Population (millions) | 17.8 |
| Nasi Lemak Price | 70 cents |
| Teh Tarik Price | 50 cents |
| Urban Population Percentage | 50.4% |
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.
Launch of Amanah Saham Bumiputra (ASB)
The launch of Amanah Saham Bumiputra (ASB) on 2 January 1990 by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) represented a key initiative under Malaysia's New Economic Policy (NEP) to enhance economic participation and wealth creation for the Bumiputera community through a capital-guaranteed unit trust fund.
1990 Kuala Lumpur–Karak Highway crash
A catastrophic multi-vehicle pile-up on the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Highway near the Genting Sempah Tunnel resulted in 28 deaths, including civilians and police personnel, marking one of Malaysia's deadliest road incidents and highlighting infrastructure safety issues.
First G15 Summit in Kuala Lumpur
The inaugural summit of the Group of 15 (G15), held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 1 June 1990, brought together leaders from 15 developing nations to promote South-South economic cooperation and address global disparities in the late Cold War era.
1990 Mecca Tunnel Tragedy
The 1990 Mecca tunnel tragedy was a catastrophic crowd crush during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on 3 July 1990, resulting in 1,426 deaths primarily from suffocation, trampling, and heat exhaustion.
Launch of the Proton Saga Megavalve
On 12 August 1990, Proton unveiled the Saga Megavalve at its Shah Alam plant, introducing upgraded 12-valve engines that boosted performance and added safety features, marking a key advancement in Malaysia's automotive industry.
End of the Communist Insurgency in Sarawak
The peace agreement signed on 17 October 1990 concluded the nearly three-decade-long communist insurgency in Sarawak, led by the North Kalimantan Communist Party (NKCP), effectively ending armed resistance against Malaysian sovereignty in the region and allowing for economic and social development.
1990 Malaysian General Election
The 1990 Malaysian general election, held on 20 and 21 October 1990, tested Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's leadership following the UMNO split and 1988 constitutional crisis.
Visit of Nelson Mandela to Malaysia
Nelson Mandela's landmark visit to Malaysia from 1 to 4 November 1990, shortly after his release from prison, underscored the nation's strong anti-apartheid stance and fostered early diplomatic ties between the two countries under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
Malaysia–Singapore Points of Agreement of 1990
The Malaysia–Singapore Points of Agreement of 1990 was a bilateral accord signed to resolve disputes over Malaysian-owned railway land in Singapore, facilitating its relocation and joint development to balance economic interests and sovereignty concerns.
Death of Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman, the founding father of Malaysia and its first Prime Minister, passed away on 6 December 1990 at the age of 87, symbolizing the close of the independence generation and leaving a lasting legacy of peaceful nation-building and multiethnic harmony.
