1956 in Malaya

This article lists important figures and events in Malayan public affairs during the year 1956, together with births and deaths of significant Malayans.

Incumbent political figures

Central level

State level

Perlis :
* Raja of Perlis : Syed Harun Putra Jamalullail
* Menteri Besar of Perlis : Raja Ahmad Raja Endut
Johore :
* Sultan of Johor : Sultan Ibrahim Al-Masyhur
* Menteri Besar of Johor : Wan Idris Ibrahim
Kedah :
* Sultan of Kedah : Sultan Badlishah
* Menteri Besar of Kedah : Tunku Ismail Tunku Yahya
Kelantan :
* Sultan of Kelantan : Sultan Ibrahim
* Menteri Besar of Kelantan : Tengku Muhammad Hamzah Raja Muda Long Zainal Abidin
Terengganu :
* Sultan of Terengganu : Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah
* Menteri Besar of Terengganu : Raja Kamaruddin Idris
Selangor :
* Sultan of Selangor : Sultan Sir Hishamuddin Alam Shah Al-Haj
* Menteri Besar of Selangor : Raja Uda Raja Muhammad
Penang :
* Monarchs : Queen Elizabeth II
* Residents-Commissioner : Robert Porter Bingham
Malacca :
* Monarchs : Queen Elizabeth II
* Residents-Commissioner : Maurice John Hawyard
Negri Sembilan :
* Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan : Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad
* Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan : Shamsuddin Naim
Pahang :
* Sultan of Pahang : Sultan Abu Bakar
* Menteri Besar of Pahang : Tengku Mohamad Sultan Ahmad
Perak :
* British Adviser of Perak : Ian Blelloch
* Sultan of Perak : Sultan Yusuf Izzuddin Shah
* Menteri Besar of Perak : Abdul Wahab Toh Muda Abdul Aziz

Events

8 February – The Treaty of London 1956 was signed to set up the independent Federation of Malaya
20 February – Tunku Abdul Rahman announced in Malacca Town after he returned from London that Malaya would become independent on 31 August 1957.
March – The Rural and Industrial Development Authority Training Centre was established.
March – Reid Commission is established for drafting the Constitution of the Federation of Malaya.
22 June – Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka was established as Balai Pustaka in Johor Bahru.
22 June – Pipeline ambush.
1 July – The Federal Land Development Authority was established.
24 October – Malayan Party was established by Tan Gee Gak.
22 November-8 December – Malaya competed for the first time in 1956 Olympic Games at Melbourne, Australia. 32 competitors, 31 men and 1 woman, took part in 13 events in 5 sports.
Unknown date – Catholic High School, Petaling Jaya is founded by Rev. Bro. Philippe Wu of the Marist Brothers.

Births

1 January – Mona Fandey – Singer and witchcraft involved in murdering Mazlan Idris in 1993
8 February – Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain – Raja Di-Hilir Perak
2 May – Mohamad bin Hasan – Politician
10 July – K. Rajagopal – Coach and footballer
11 September – Mohd Hatta Ramli – Politician
2 November – Arif Shah Omar Shah – Politician
15 November – Ong Ka Ting – Politician
27 November – Sultan Nazrin Muizuddin Shah – 35th Sultan of Perak
Unknown date – Louisa Chong – Actor

Deaths

January 22 – Tun Yusuf
August 26 – Yeung Kwo – Deputy Secretary General of the Malayan Communist Party