August 08, 2008      Categories: News

1896
● On Dec 14, the first issue of The Malay Mail (MM) is published by John H. Matthews Robson in Kuala Lumpur.

1904 - 1926
● Published as a weekly newspaper.

1942
● MM ceases publication on Jan 7.
 ● On Jan 19, under Japanese control, MM resumes publication under the banner 'New Order' with Francis Cooray as managing editor.
 
1952
● The paper is bought over by Straits Times Press and becomes an afternoon paper. ● Martin Hutton becomes editor of MM.

1956
● MM celebrates its diamond jubilee.

1960
● On Feb 21, the first MM Big Walk is launched at Stadium Merdeka.

1962
 ● On Feb 28, The Singapore Free Press merges with MM and becomes a truly national paper serving all major towns with separate editions for Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
● J.A. Bain is appointed editor.

1972
● Tan Siong Hoon becomes editor of MM.
● On Sept 1, political realities in part causes the Straits Times Press Group to split the Singapore and Malaysian operations, resulting in MM becoming part of The New Straits Times Press Group.

1973
● On Oct 1, the new MM takes to the streets as a tabloid, in a new compact format. Price was still 15 sen.

1974
● P.J. Joshua becomes editor of MM.

1975
● On May 11, MM Big Walk becomes an annual event in Kuala Lumpur.
● On July 1, the price is increased from 15 sen to 20 sen.

1976
 ● Chua Huck Cheng is appointed editor.

1981
 ● On Dec 15, the paper undergoes a major revamp with the new tagline 'The Paper That Cares'. ● Hotline is introduced.

1982
● Ahmad Sebi Abu Bakar is appointed editor of MM.
 
1983
● Maurice Khoo Teng Cheng is appointed editor of MM.

1984
● On Sept 1, a new red masthead is introduced with 44 pages. Price is 30 sen.

1986
● Boey Kok Choy becomes editor.
 ● In December, another revamp focuses exclusively on Klang Valley readers.

1989
● In October, Salehuddin Othman becomes editor.

1990
● MM holds its 93rd birthday bash at Merdeka Square.

1991
● On May 27, MM Charity Fund is launched. ● MM and Sunday Mail (SM) undergo improvements in design and layout.

1993
● Datuk Fauzi Omar becomes editor.

1996
● In December, MM celebrates its 100th anniversary.

2001
● On Oct 16, Ahirudin Attan is appointed acting editor.
 
2004
● On May 1, the restructuring in MM news desk sees Ahirudin Attan being appointed executive editor of MM and SM, and Aishah Ali becoming the associate editor of MM and SM.

2005
● On Jan 1, the cover price of MM is increased from 80 sen to RM1. In Sabah and Sarawak, MM is sold at RM2 each.
● On Sept 25, MM and SM’s new mastheads are launched. More entertainment and sports news are added.
● MZul was appointed the editor of MM and Weekend Mail.
 
2008
● On April 1, MM ceased to be part of the New Straits Times Press Group. Tony Francis was appointed editor-in-chief.