1981 in Malaysia

This article lists important figures and events in Malaysian public affairs during the year 1981, together with births and deaths of notable Malaysians.

20 April – The Amanah Saham Nasional scheme was launched. 10 May – Sultan Ismail Al Khalidi of Johor died at the age of 86. He was buried at the Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum in Johor Bahru. His son, Tunku Mahmood Iskandar was proclaimed as the 24th Sultan of Johor and 4th in the modern Sultan of Johor. 3 June – Soldier Kanang anak Langkau was awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) from the Yang di Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang for his bravery and sacrifice for fighting against Communist terrorists during the Insurgency. June – The new Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad building at Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur was officially opened. 11 June – Wong Swee Chin, known as Botak Chin was executed by hanging at Pudu Prison, Kuala Lumpur. 16 July – Tun Hussein Onn resigned as prime minister due to ill health. 17 July – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad became the fourth Malaysian prime minister. 18 July – Tun Musa Hitam was appointed Deputy Prime Minister. 23 July – Work Minister S. Samy Vellu announced that the Penang Bridge, Penang would be constructed using the cable stayed concrete girder method of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge instead of the steel tied arch in the style of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 9 August – Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang visited Malaysia and met with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. 7 September – Permodalan Nasional Berhad leads a "Dawn Raid" on the London Stock Exchange with 51 per cent of Guthrie shares acquired in just 10 minutes. 17 September – The new Rajang Area Security Command (RASCOM) headquarters was officially opened in Sibu, Sarawak. 11 October – A Malay rubber tapper named Jaafar Patola killed six people and wounded 25 others in Parit Setan, a village near Benut, Johor before being shot dead by police.