This article lists important figures and events in Malaysian public affairs during the year 1979, together with births and deaths of notable Malaysians and Malaysia-related figures.

• January - Go-slow at Subang Airport.^[1]
• February – Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) was established.
• 29 March – Sultan Yahya Petra ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim Petra of Kelantan and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong died. His body was brought back to Kelantan and laid to rest at Kelantan Royal Mausoleum, Langgar, Kota Bharu [ms].
• 26 April – Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang was elected as the seventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
• April – Malaysia became the world's largest exporter of semiconductor industry.
• April – Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. of Japan opened its factories in Shah Alam, Selangor.
• 7 May – RTM2 commenced colour television broadcasts.
• 22 May – The Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad was founded
• 5 September – Establishment of Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Mahmud
• September – Opening of the Karak Highway and Genting Sempah Tunnel.

• 11 January – Siti Nurhaliza – Singer
• 5 April – Nisha Ayub – transgender rights activist
• 30 May – Que Haidar – Actor
• 30 May – Hardi Jaafar – footballer
• 2 June – Siti Zalina Ahmad – Lawn bowler^[2]
• 9 July – Gary Chaw – singer-songwriter
• 24 September – Shukor Adan – footballer
• 29 September – Hairuddin Omar – footballer
• 30 September – Vince Chong – Reality TV Star
• 29 October – Maya Karin – Singer and actress
• 11 November – Farah Asyikin Zulkifli – Singer, songwriter of Malaysian Idol S2 and One in a Million (season 1)

• 8 March – Ibrahim Hj Yaacob – Malayan politician and founder of the Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM) (Young Malay Union)
• 29 March – Sultan Yahya Petra of Kelantan and 6th Yang di-Pertuan Agong
• 30 March – E. E. C. Thuraisingham – first local Member (Minister) for Education in the Communities Liaison Committee
• 27 April – Shariff Dol – Malay film actor
• 18 May – Tun V.T Sambanthan – former MIC president and Minister of Works and Communications
• 20 September – Panglima Ismail Nasir Shah of Terengganu and 4th Yang di-Pertuan Agong
• 12 October – V. Manickavasagam – 6th President of the Malaysian Indian Congress (1973-1979)
• 25 October – Sir Gerald Templer – Former British High Commissioner In King House (1970 - 1975)

• History of Malaysia