WHILE the Malaysian Mirror has operated for only six months in 2009, we have kept tabs on events and people that not only make the news but had also made a great impact on the lives of Malaysians during the year.

Our lists of the top stories and personalities are based on perceived frequency of news reports and hits in national dailies and on news portals, public and private discussions, media forums and a consensus of opinions among our associates.

The lists are neither an academic nor objective study of the outgoing year but we believe they provide a contemporary viewpoint of the watershed events that had occurred and the people who had influenced them.

We believe you will find our lists interesting!

It is with great pleasure and pride then that we announce the Malaysian Mirror’s Malaysian of the Year 2009 and Story of the Year.

MALAYSIAN OF THE YEAR

Teoh Beng Hock, political aide (deceased)

Other nominated personalities:

1. Yasmin Ahmad, advertising genius, film director and scriptwriter (deceased)
2. Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former prime minister
3. Liow Tiong Lai, MCA vice-president
4. Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Kelantan mentri besar
5. Khalid Ibrahim, Selangor mentri besar
6. Tony Fernandes, Air Asia Group CEO
7. Dr Asri Zainul Abidin, scholar and former Perlis mufti
8. Lim Kit Siang, DAP advisor
9. Elizabeth Wong, Selangor executive councillor

STORY OF THE YEAR

The Teoh Beng Hock Inquest

Other nominated stories:

1. The Port Klang Free Zone scandal
2. The Rape of Penan Women
3. The MCA Leadership Crisis
4. The Perak Government Dispute
5. The Issue of Perlis Ex-Mufti Dr Asri Zanul Abidin
6. The Sarawak Bumiputra Issue

©Malaysian Mirror