← 1960 1959 1958 1961 in Malaya → 1962 1963 1964
Decades:	1940s 1950s 1960s
See also:	Other events of 1961 History of Malaysia  • Timeline  • Years

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 – Saleem [ms] – 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

Deaths