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 Governor of Malaya : Donald Charles MacGillivray Chief Minister Federation of Malaya : Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj 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 (Acting) 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 (until unknown date, position abolished) 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 (RIDA) Training Centre (Dewan Latehan RIDA) 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 (FELDA) 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