2002
| Currency Rate to USD | 3.8 |
| GDP Per Capita (USD) | 4184.03 |
| Population (millions) | 24.1 |
| Nasi Lemak Price | RM1.30 |
| Teh Tarik Price | RM1.05 |
| Urban Population Percentage | 63.8% |
Mahathir Era
Mahathir Mohamad’s long premiership brought ambitious modernisation: highways, skyscrapers (yes, Petronas Twin Towers), national car (Proton), new administrative centres.
Reformasi Era
For many Malaysians, Reformasi meant both frustration and hope. In 1998, when Anwar Ibrahim was sacked as Deputy Prime Minister, it wasn’t just political drama—it felt personal: people seeing corruption, cronyism, and authoritarian rule in everyday life felt exposed.
Parti Bersatu Sabah Rejoins Barisan Nasional
On 23 January 2002, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) rejoined the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, marking a significant realignment in Sabah's politics that ended organized opposition in the state legislature and solidified BN's control until 2018.
Successful Separation of Malaysian Conjoined Twins Ahmad and Muhammad Rosli
In 2002, Malaysian conjoined twins Ahmad and Muhammad Rosli, joined at the chest, underwent a successful separation surgery in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, involving a 23.
2002 Men's Hockey World Cup
The 10th edition of the Men's Hockey World Cup, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from February 24 to March 9, 2002, saw Germany defeat Australia 2-1 in the final to claim their first title, marking a significant event in Malaysian sports history.
Launch of the Express Rail Link (KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit)
The Express Rail Link (ERL) launched in 2002, providing a high-speed rail connection between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and KL Sentral, revolutionizing airport access and supporting Malaysia's economic development as a regional hub.
Installation of Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The installation of Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on 13 December 2001 followed the sudden death of his predecessor, marking a key transition in Malaysia's elective monarchy system.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad Announces Resignation
On 22 June 2002, during the UMNO General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad shocked the nation by announcing his intention to resign after 21 years in office, only to retract the decision amid emotional pleas from supporters, paving the way for an orderly transition to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in October 2003.
Death of Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party President Fadzil Noor
The death of Fadzil Noor, president of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), on 23 June 2002, marked a significant turning point in Malaysian politics, creating a leadership vacuum in the opposition and influencing the party's ideological direction amid its recent electoral successes.
International Court of Justice Awards Sipadan and Ligitan Islands to Malaysia
On 17 December 2002, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that sovereignty over the islands of Sipadan and Ligitan in the Celebes Sea belongs to Malaysia, resolving a decades-long territorial dispute with Indonesia based on principles of effective administration.
