2006

The opening of the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on 23 March 2006 marked a pivotal development in Malaysia's aviation sector, accommodating the rapid expansion of low-cost carriers like AirAsia and promoting affordable air travel amid economic growth.

On 20 June 2006, Petaling Jaya was officially granted city status by the Malaysian federal government, marking its evolution from a planned satellite township to a major urban center in Selangor.

On September 4, 2006, Malaysia announced Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Faiz Khaleed as its first astronauts under the Angkasawan program, a landmark initiative tied to a defense deal with Russia, aimed at inspiring national interest in science and technology.

The 2006 Southeast Asian haze was a major transboundary air pollution event caused by forest fires in Indonesia, severely affecting Malaysia with smoke that led to health issues, economic disruptions, and diplomatic tensions in the region.

The murder of 28-year-old Mongolian translator and model Shaariibuugiin Altantuyaa on 18 October 2006 in Malaysia exposed deep-seated corruption in a major defense deal, implicating high-level political figures and sparking prolonged legal battles and public outrage.

The official launch of the Iskandar Development Region on 8 November 2006 established Malaysia's largest special economic zone in Johor, aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth through targeted development zones and international collaboration.

On 7 November 2006, the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) crossed the 1,000-point threshold for the first time since 2000, signaling a robust recovery in Malaysia's stock market following the 1997 Asian financial crisis and highlighting the success of post-crisis economic reforms.

The 2006 FESPIC Games, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from November 25 to December 1, marked the final edition of the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled, featuring 3,641 athletes from 46 nations competing in 19 sports and awarding 1,476 medals.

The launch of the MEASAT-3 satellite on 11 December 2006 represented a major milestone in Malaysia's space and communications sector, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting the nation's shift toward a digital economy.

The installation of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2006-2007 highlighted Malaysia's unique rotational monarchy system, where rulers from the nine Malay states take turns serving as the federal head of state for five-year terms.