The following lists events that happened during 1961 in Singapore. Source: Incumbents Yang di-Pertuan Negara – Yusof Ishak Prime Minister – Lee Kuan Yew Events February 20 February – The Singapore Malay National Organisation (PKNS) is formed as a branch of UMNO. It later split following independence. April 29 April – A by-election is held in Hong Lim after Ong Eng Guan resigned from his seat following expulsion from the People's Action Party (PAP). As two other candidates were disqualified, it is a contest between Ong and PAP's Jek Yuen Thong, which Ong regained his seat. May 24 May – The Women's Charter is passed, guaranteeing women's rights and equality in families. The Charter started on 15 September. 25 May – The Bukit Ho Swee Fire kills 4 people and destroys 2,200 attap houses. 27 May – Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister of Malaya, proposes a merger between Singapore, Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei (which pulled out last minute due to the Brunei Revolt). July 15 July – A by-election is held after assemblyman Baharuddin bin Ariff died a few months earlier. The People's Action Party lost this by-election; the second in a row, with David Marshall from the Workers' Party winning the Anson seat. 25 July – The Singapore Trade Union Congress (STUC) splits, caused by an ideological split in the People's Action Party. 26 July – Shell opens Singapore's first oil refinery at Pulau Bukom. August 1 August – The Economic Development Board is formed to create opportunities for Singapore businesses. 12 August – The National Iron and Steel Mills (present-day NatSteel) is formed to develop Singapore's steel industry. 13 August – Barisan Sosialis is registered as an opposition party, which dissolved and merged with the Workers' Party in 1988. 16 August – The Singapore Association of Trade Unions (SATU) is formed after STUC's split earlier in July. The union is declared illegal in 1963 after conducting activities that threatened Singapore's national security. September 6 September – The National Trades Union Congress is formed to represent workers. 13 September – 9 October – Lee Kuan Yew delivered a series of 12 radio talks in English, Mandarin and Malay to campaign for a merger with Malaysia. This also includes exposing the Communists' real ideology and reason for opposing the merger. 16–17 September – The first Singapore Grand Prix is held at Thomson Road. October 15 October – The