This article lists important figures and events in Malayan public affairs during the year 1949, together with births and deaths of significant Malayans.
Incumbent political figures
Central level
Governor of Malaya : Henry Gurney Chief Minister of Malaya : Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra
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 Johore : Onn Jaafar Kedah Sultan of Kedah : Sultan Badlishah Menteri Besar of Kedah : Mohamad Sheriff Osman Kelantan : Sultan of Kelantan : Sultan Ibrahim Menteri Besar of Kelantan : Nik Ahmad Kamil Nik Mahmud Trengganu : Sultan of Trengganu : Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Menteri Besar of Trengganu : Tengku Mohamad Sultan Ahmad (until 26 December) Raja Kamaruddin Idris (from 26 December) Selangor : Sultan of Selangor : Sultan Sir Hishamuddin Alam Shah Al-Haj Menteri Besar of Selangor : Hamzah Abdullah (until 1 July) Raja Uda Raja Muhammad (from 1 July) Penang : Monarchs : King George VI Residents-Commissioner : Arthur Vincent Aston Malacca : Monarchs : King George VI Residents-Commissioner : Negri Sembilan : Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan : Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad Menteri Besar Negri Sembilan : Abdul Malek Yusuf Pahang : Sultan of Pahang : Sultan Abu Bakar Menteri Besar of Pahang : Mahmud Mat Perak : British Adviser of Perak : James Innes Miller Sultan of Perak : Sultan Yusuf Izzuddin Shah Menteri Besar of Perak : Abdul Wahab Toh Muda Abdul Aziz
Events
27 February – The Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) was founded. 4 May – The Pan-Malayan Federation of Trade Union (PMFTU) president, Ganapathy, 24, was killed. 8 October – The establishment of University of Malaya from the merger of King Edward VII College of Medicine and Raffles College in Selangor. 4 November – A Malay named Ismail bin Awang killed seven people and wounded at least four others in Sungai Dua, Penang. Unknown date – The Communities Liaison Committee (CLC) was established.
Births
19 February – Osu Sukam – Politician and former Chief Minister of Sabah
6 March – Hilmi Yahaya – Politician
7 March – G. Palanivel – Politician
21 July – Tengku Azlan, politician
28 July – Soh Chin Aun – Footballer
24 August – Mohd Ali Rustam – Politician and former Chief Minister of Malacca
8 September – Ng Lam Hua – Politician
2 November – A. R. Badul – Actor and comedian
11 November – Sultan Ismail Petra – 28th Sultan of Kelantan (died 2019) 14 November – Mohd Isa bin Hj. Abdul Samad – Politician and FELDA chairman Unknown date – Koh Tsu Koon – Politician and former Chief Minister of Penang