KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 — Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh made history as the first Malaysian to win best actress at the Oscars and Malaysians are rejoicing on social media.
Yeoh’s name entered Twitter’s trending page as soon as she won the prestigious award at the 95th Academy Awards this morning.
Many of them came from Malaysians expressing their well wishes on Yeoh’s success at the Oscars and her 40-year career in film.
Some of them were proud to have grown up watching her iconic on-screen roles from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to Crazy Rich Asians.
A massive step change for my country. Onwards and upwards, together, stronger. Malaysia Boleh! #malaysia #michelleyeoh #oscar https://t.co/BABDQHiPHi
— Shafeeq Shajahan (@Liver_And_Lung) March 13, 2023
CONGRATS and thank you for reminding women and asians everywhere that anything is possible https://t.co/LxWjKHcUpy
— Syah (@Syahrm92) March 13, 2023
Online users from Ipoh were especially proud to share the same town as an Academy award winner.
Gal from Ipoh, Malaysia is the 1st Asian to win Best Actress At The Academy Awards. #michelleyeoh pic.twitter.com/M9N0LMfKEB
— Dr Ingky (@dr_ingky) March 13, 2023
In typical Malaysian fashion, the conversation then pivoted to whether there would be a public holiday tomorrow.
Malaysians now:So esok cuti tak?? #Oscar
— Y A A S (@yaasvanth13) March 13, 2023
Malaysians were also proud that Yeoh could serve as an inspiration for Asian women to achieve greater heights.
Congratulations to Michelle Yeoh on her incredible Oscar win in 2023! Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off, and you've made us all proud. Thank you for being an inspiration to women in film everywhere.pic.twitter.com/W9yRSDr1Z3
— Kimya (@kimyaqee2) March 13, 2023
Finally, some social media users hoped Yeoh’s win could push the local creative industry to produce content with greater quality.
Idk if its just me, but with Michelle Yeoh being the first Malaysian to win an Oscar, then previously the impact of Imaginur and the success of Projek High Council...I can’t help but to feel a bit hopeful
— Shazwan Ze (@ZeSpoooky) March 13, 2023
