1961 in Malaya explained

This article lists important figures and events in Malayan public affairs during the year 1961, together with births and deaths of significant Malayans.

Incumbent political figures

Federal level

Yang di-Pertuan Agong

Tuanku Syed Putra of Perlis

Raja Permaisuri Agong

Tengku Budriah of Perlis

Prime Minister

Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj

Deputy Prime Minister

Datuk Abdul Razak

State level

Sultan of Johor: Sultan Ismail
Sultan of Kedah: Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah
Sultan of Kelantan: Sultan Yahya Petra
Raja of Perlis: Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin (Regent)
Sultan of Perak: Sultan Yusuf Izzuddin Shah
Sultan of Pahang: Sultan Abu Bakar
Sultan of Selangor: Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah
Sultan of Terengganu: Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah (Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong)
Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan: Tuanku Munawir
Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Penang: Raja Tun Uda
Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Malacca: Tun Leong Yew Koh

(Source: Malaysian Department of Informations)

Events

4 January – Tuanku Syed Putra of Perlis was installed as the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
20 February – Tunku Abdul Rahman planned to form a new federation called Malaysia with the merger of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Brunei, and Sarawak.
9 March – The International Quran Reading Competition was held for the first time.
17 April – Tuanku Munawir of Negeri Sembilan was installed as the ninth Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan
1 May – A landslide occurred in Ringlet, Cameron Highlands, Pahang.
28 June – Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah was crowned as the 8th Sultan of Selangor.
July – The Control of Supplies Act 1961 was enacted.
17 July – Sultan Yahya Petra was crowned as the Sultan of Kelantan.
13 August – The construction of Malacca State Legislative Assembly in Malacca City, Malacca.
21 September – The Kidnapping Act 1961 was enacted.
30 October–18 November – The 13th Meeting of the Colombo Plan Consultative Committee was held in Kuala Lumpur.
November - Actor and singers, P. Ramlee marries Singapore-born actor and singer, Saloma.

Births

1 January – Zulkifli b. Omar – Jeneral of commissioner prison
9 January – Zahidi Zainul Abidin – Politician
22 January – P. Kalimuthu (Bentong Kali) – Criminal (died 1993)
15 February – Mr. Os – Actor and comedian (died 2016)
6 May – Suhaili Abdul Rahman – Businessman
19 May – Sabree Fadzil – Actor
5 August – Hishammuddin Hussein – Politician and minister
31 August – – Singer
6 September – Francissca Peter – Singer
9 November – Zainal Abidin Hassan – Footballer
24 November – Takiyuddin Hassan – Politician
25 November – Salih Yaacob – Actor and comedian
Unknown date – Mokhzani Mahathir – Politician and businessman
Unknown date – Sabri Yunus – Actor and comedian