1961
| Currency Rate to USD | 2.8 |
| GDP Per Capita (USD) | 232.9 |
| Population (millions) | 8.2 |
| Urban Population Percentage | 26.8% |
Formation of Malaysia Era
For everyday folks in Malaya/Malaysia, this era was full of hope, political energy, and uncertainty. The lead-up to Merdeka (Independence) meant rising political organisation, negotiations, debates about citizenship, race, language.
Cold War
After WWII, the world splits into blocs—capitalist West led by U.S., communist East led by USSR. People everywhere feel the pressure: fear of nuclear annihilation, propaganda, ideological influence in media and education, proxy wars in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Installation of Tuanku Syed Putra as the Third Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The installation of Tuanku Syed Putra ibni Almarhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail as the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong on 4 January 1961 was a significant event in the Federation of Malaya's constitutional monarchy, highlighting the elective nature of the role and occurring shortly after independence.
Tunku Abdul Rahman's Proposal for the Federation of Malaysia
On 27 May 1961, Malaya's Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman publicly proposed the formation of a Federation of Malaysia, uniting the Federation of Malaya with Singapore, North Borneo (Sabah), Sarawak, and Brunei to enhance regional stability, economic growth, and security against communist threats.
First International Quran Recital Competition
The First International Quran Recital Competition, held on 9 March 1961 in Kuala Lumpur, was a landmark event organized by Tunku Abdul Rahman, promoting Quranic recitation and Islamic unity in post-independence Malaya.
Landslide in Ringlet, Cameron Highlands, 1961
On 1 May 1961, a landslide struck the settlement of Ringlet in the Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaya, triggered by heavy rainfall and highlighting the geological vulnerabilities of the region's hilly terrain amid post-colonial development.
Bukit Ho Swee Fire
The Bukit Ho Swee fire of 25 May 1961 was one of Singapore's most devastating urban disasters, destroying nearly 3,000 homes and displacing over 15,000 people.
Coronation of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah of Selangor 1961
The coronation of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah on 28 June 1961 at Istana Alam Shah in Klang marked his formal installation as the eighth Sultan of Selangor, four years after Malaya's independence, solidifying the continuity of the state's Bugis-descended monarchy amid national transitions toward the Federation of Malaysia.
Opening of Singapore's First Oil Refinery by Shell
On 26 July 1961, Shell opened Singapore's first oil refinery on Pulau Bukom, a landmark event that kickstarted the nation's industrialization, attracted foreign investment, and laid the groundwork for its transformation into a global energy hub.
Formation of the Economic Development Board in Singapore, 1961
The formation of the Economic Development Board (EDB) in 1961 represented a critical step in Singapore's economic transformation, replacing the ineffective Singapore Industrial Promotion Board with a more robust institution to drive industrialization, attract foreign investment, and address high unemployment and economic vulnerability in the post-colonial era.
13th Meeting of the Colombo Plan Consultative Committee in Kuala Lumpur
The 13th Meeting of the Colombo Plan Consultative Committee convened in Kuala Lumpur from 30 October to 18 November 1961, serving as a key forum for Asian nations to coordinate economic development, technical assistance, and regional cooperation amid post-colonial challenges.
Marriage of P. Ramlee and Saloma (1961)
The marriage of Tan Sri Datuk Amar P. Ramlee and Saloma in August 1961 united two of the Malay world's most celebrated entertainers, symbolizing the golden era of Singapore-Malayan cinema and music during a pivotal time in post-colonial cultural development.
