1961 in Malaya

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=

=State level=

{{flagicon|Johor}} Sultan of Johor: Sultan Ismail
{{flagicon|Kedah}} Sultan of Kedah: Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah
{{flagicon|Kelantan}} Sultan of Kelantan: Sultan Yahya Petra
{{flagicon|Perlis}} Raja of Perlis: Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin (Regent)
{{flagicon|Perak}} Sultan of Perak: Sultan Yusuf Izzuddin Shah
{{flagicon|Pahang}} Sultan of Pahang: Sultan Abu Bakar
{{flagicon|Selangor|pre-1965}} Sultan of Selangor: Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah
{{flagicon|Terengganu}} Sultan of Terengganu: Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah (Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong)
{{flagicon|Negeri Sembilan}} Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan: Tuanku Munawir
{{flagicon|Penang}} Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Penang: Raja Tun Uda
{{flagicon|Malacca}} 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 – {{ill|Saleem (singer)|lt=Saleem|ms|Saleem}} – 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