As we inch closer to 2022, it is a good time to look back on what we have achieved throughout this year. Big or small, take this time to celebrate your wins and plan for a better and brighter year.
Nationally, Malaysia has had its highs and lows throughout the eventful year of 2021. As we reflect on personal achievements, let us also look at and learn from some of the historical events in Malaysia this year.
State of emergency
Period: January 11 – August 1, 2021 (lifted in Sarawak on November 3, 2021)
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah declared a state of emergency nationwide effective from January 11 to August 1, 2021, in order to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Unlike other states, the state of emergency in Sarawak continued from August 2 to February 2, 2022, to curb the Covid-19 spread. The extended state of emergency effectively suspended the state election in the Land of the Hornbills. The Sarawak Legislative Assembly was due to dissolve on June 7 following the expiry of its term.
The King consented to end the emergency proclamation in Sarawak effective November 3, 2021, earlier than the initial date, paving the way for the state election.
MCO 2.0 in the Federal Territories and five other states
Period: January 13 – 26, 2021
The government reinstated the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Pulau Pinang, Selangor, Melaka, Johor, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, from January 13 to 26, 2021.
Besides interstate and inter-district travel restrictions, physical social gatherings, such as wedding receptions, conferences, religious processions, meetings, seminars, courses, and group sports activities were also not allowed.
First Covid-19 vaccines arrived in Malaysia
Date: February 21, 2021
Malaysia finally received its first batch of Covid-19 vaccines – the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines on February 21, 2021, ahead of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
“First click, first-served” registration for the AstraZeneca vaccines
Date: May 2, 2021
268,000 people in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur registered for the AstraZeneca vaccines on May 2, 2021. Due to the high demand, all slots were snapped up in just 3 hours and 20 minutes.
The government offered opt-in registration for the AstraZeneca vaccines in the Klang Valley on a “first click, first-served” basis. The move came after concerns were raised regarding the safety of the vaccine.
Second opt-in registration for the AstraZeneca vaccines
Date: May 23, 2021
Unlike the first registration, which was only for the Klang Valley residents, the second round of the voluntary registration for the AstraZeneca vaccines extended to those in Johor, Pulau Pinang and Sarawak.
All available slots were taken up in less than 90 minutes. Additionally, due to the high traffic, many vented their frustration on social media over the website glitches during their attempts to secure a slot.
Kelana Jaya LRT train crash
Date: May 24, 2021
Two LRT Kelana Jaya Line trains collided near the KLCC station on May 24, 2021, at 8.33 pm. The accident involved one train ferrying passengers and another vacant train on a test run. Due to the collision, 47 passengers sustained severe injuries, while 166 others sustained minor injuries.
Following the mishap, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd provided compensation of RM1,000 to all 213 passengers involved in the accident. The company also covered the medical costs of those hospitalised. Additionally, those facing a temporary loss of income due to the accident also received compensation.
Nationwide lockdown
Period: June 1 – 14, 2021
Malaysia entered a full lockdown or Full Movement Control Order (FMCO) for 14 days from June 1 to 14, 2021.
All sectors were not allowed to operate except for the essential economic and service sectors during the period.
The decision came amid the steep climb of Covid-19 cases that exceeded the 8,000 mark with more than 70,000 active cases. Given the rising cases, the hospital capacity in the country to treat Covid-19 patients was also wearing thin.
1 silver and 1 bronze for Malaysia in Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics
Period: July 23 – August 8, 2021
After a year of postponement due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 Summer Olympics took place in Japan from July 23 to August 8, 2021.
Malaysia brought home 2 medals with silver from the national track cyclist Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang in keirin and bronze through national shuttlers Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in men’s doubles.
For the record, Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang or “The Pocket Rocketman”, won a bronze in the individual keirin at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down as Prime Minister
Date: August 16, 2021
After being in office for 17 months, the eighth Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down on August 16, 2021, as he lost the majority support of Dewan Rakyat Members of Parliament (MPs). His resignation subsequently dissolved the Perikatan Nasional (PN) cabinet.
Following the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah consented for Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to become the caretaker prime minister until the election of a new Prime Minister.
Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob sworn in as Malaysia’s ninth Prime Minister
Date: August 21, 2021
The King decreed for all 220 MPs to submit their statutory declarations (SDs) to nominate a name as the country’s next Prime Minister. Following that, a Special Meeting of the Malay Rulers was convened concerning the appointment of the new Prime Minister.
Out of 220 MPs, 114 had nominated Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Bera MP) as the Prime Minister, which was a sufficient majority to form a new government. Following that, Dato’ Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Malaysia on August 21, 2021.
3 golds and 2 silvers for Malaysia in Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympics
Period: August 24 – September 5, 2021
The Malaysian contingent bagged 3 golds and 2 silvers in the Paralympics, exceeding the three-gold target. The achievement became Malaysia’s best achievement since competing in the first Paralympics in 1972 in Heidelberg, Germany. Needless to say, the medallists and the whole contingent have done the country proud of their achievements for the country. Below is a rundown of the medals won by Malaysia in the Paralympics:
| Medal | Name | Sport | Event |
| Gold | Abdul Latif Romly | Athletics | Men’s long jump T20 |
| Gold | Cheah Liek Hou | Badminton | Men’s singles SU5 |
| Gold | Bonnie Bunyau Gustin | Powerlifting | Men’s 72 kg |
| Silver | Jong Yee Khie | Powerlifting | Men’s 107 kg |
| Silver | Chew Wei Lun | Boccia | Mixed individual BC1 |
Malaysia could have won another gold in the men’s shot put F20 with a new world record for the event. However, Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli was classified as Did Not Start (DNS) as it was claimed that he did not enter the call room on time. Certainly, it was a painful lesson for Ziyad, but the country applauded Ziyad for his extraordinary, record-breaking achievement.
Langkawi travel bubble
Date: September 16, 2021
Langkawi became the country’s first domestic travel bubble effective September 16, 2021. Following that, fully-vaccinated individuals in Malaysia have been allowed to travel to Langkawi. Meanwhile, individuals under 18 travelling to Langkawi must be accompanied by fully-vaccinated parents or guardians.
Other than the use of facilities at hotels and homestays, other tourism and cultural activities can take place, subject to the Phase 4 general SOP by the National Security Council (NSC).
90% adult population fully vaccinated
Date: October 10, 2021
On October 10, 2021, Malaysia hit its target to fully vaccinate 90% of its adult population.
For the record, Malaysia rolled out its Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme on February 24, 2021.
Flash floods in the Peninsular
Date: October 22 & November 4, 2021
Kedah, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur were hit by flash floods and mudflows, resulting in damages and evacuation to relief centers.
According to reliefweb, as of October 22, floods damaged 260 houses and more than 1,000 people across the states were evacuated to relief centers.
In another report by reliefweb, as of November 4, flooding across Perlis, Kedah, Johor, and Melaka led to the displacement of 890 people in 17 evacuation centres.
Melaka state election
Date: November 20, 2021
The Melaka state election on November 20 saw Barisan Nasional (BN) forming the new state government after winning 21 of the 28 seats contested. Following that, Lendu state assemblyman Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali was appointed as Melaka’s 13th Chief Minister.
Melaka election followed the dissolution of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly on October 4.
Malaysia-Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL)
Date: November 29, 2021
Malaysia and Singapore agreed to launch the Malaysia-Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) effective November 29, 2021. The VTL followed the success of Malaysia and Singapore in achieving more than 95% rate of the vaccinated adult population.
The VTL allows fully-vaccinated individuals to enter either country without quarantine. However, this is subject to the Covid-19 assessment and other requirements stipulated by the destination country.
To date, only the Malaysia-Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane is available. Meanwhile, the VTL for other countries will be made available in stages subject to risk assessment.
Find out the requirements and procedure to register for the VTL in our past article.
Flash floods in eight states in Peninsular Malaysia
Period: December 17, 2021 – ongoing in several states
It was a tragedy for many in Peninsular Malaysia as flash floods ravaged eight states, claiming lives and displacing more than 71,000 victims. The eight states affected by the floods are Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).
We recount the horrifying floods, assistance available to the victims and insurance claims procedure for flood-damaged vehicles in another article.
Sarawak state election
Date: December 18, 2021
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secured a two-thirds majority thus retaining its power in the 12th Sarawak state election. The coalition won 76 out of 82 state seats, including one that remains provisional.
GPS consists of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
End the year on a high note
What can you learn from the many events in our history this year?
As we learn from the past events and gear up for 2022, take this time to finish what remains on our list. Additionally, we would like to remind you that the road tax renewal extension is only until December 31. Do not wait until the final hour. It will take less than 5 minutes for you to renew both insurance and road tax at Bjak, completely online. Besides, you can stay home as we will deliver your road tax, right to your doorstep.
Bjak is one of Malaysia’s largest car insurance comparison platforms that offers 15 insurance brands. Get free car insurance quotes at Bjak.my and subsequently renew your car insurance and road tax online in just 5 minutes.
