Malaysia’s public holiday system is one of the most complex in Southeast Asia because it combines federal holidays with state-specific observances. In 2026, employees are entitled to up to 18 public holidays — 12 federal and 6 state-specific — though the exact number depends on where your operations are located.
Managing public holidays across multiple Malaysian states requires careful planning. This guide covers every federal and state holiday, replacement day rules, and your obligations as an employer.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Malaysia observes 12 federal public holidays and up to 6 state-specific holidays in 2026
- Employees are entitled to 11 paid public holidays per year, including National Day, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday, and the ruler/governor’s birthday of the relevant state
- When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a replacement holiday
- States with different weekend days (Kelantan, Terengganu observe Friday-Saturday) have different replacement rules
- The Employment Act 1955 governs public holiday entitlements for all employees
Federal Public Holidays 2026
These holidays apply across all 13 states and 3 federal territories:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Tahun Baru Cina (Chinese New Year) | 17 February | Tuesday |
| Tahun Baru Cina (2nd Day) | 18 February | Wednesday |
| Hari Raya Aidilfitri | 20 March | Friday |
| Hari Raya Aidilfitri (2nd Day) | 21 March | Saturday |
| Hari Keputeraan Yang di-Pertuan Agong | 6 June | Saturday |
| Hari Keputeraan Yang di-Pertuan Agong (2nd Day) | 7 June | Sunday |
| Hari Pekerja (Labour Day) | 1 May | Friday |
| Hari Wesak (Wesak Day) | 12 May | Tuesday |
| Hari Keputeraan Yang di-Pertuan Agong (actual) | 9 September | Wednesday |
| Hari Malaysia (Malaysia Day) | 16 September | Wednesday |
| Deepavali | 20 October | Tuesday |
| Hari Raya Haji | 27 May | Thursday |
| Hari Raya Haji (2nd Day) | 28 May | Friday |
| Krismas (Christmas Day) | 25 December | Friday |
Note: Hari Raya Aidilfitri dates are subject to confirmation based on the Islamic calendar. The dates listed are estimated and may shift by 1-2 days.
State-Specific Public Holidays 2026
Each state observes the ruler’s or governor’s birthday and may have additional holidays:
| State | Holiday | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Johor | Sultan of Johor’s Birthday | 22 March (Sunday) |
| Kedah | Sultan of Kedah’s Birthday | 30 June (Tuesday) |
| Kelantan | Sultan of Kelantan’s Birthday | 30 November (Monday) |
| Melaka | Hari Keputeraan Yang di-Pertua Negeri | 14 August (Friday) |
| Negeri Sembilan | Yang di-Pertuan Besar’s Birthday | 14 January (Thursday) |
| Pahang | Sultan of Pahang’s Birthday | 30 July (Friday) |
| Perak | Sultan of Perak’s Birthday | 21 November (Saturday) |
| Perlis | Raja of Perlis’s Birthday | 17 May (Monday) |
| Pulau Pinang | Hari Keputeraan Yang di-Pertua Negeri | 12 July (Sunday) |
| Sabah | Hari Keputeraan Yang di-Pertua Negeri | 1 October (Thursday) |
| Sarawak | Hari Keputeraan Yang di-Pertua Negeri | 22 July (Wednesday) |
| Selangor | Sultan of Selangor’s Birthday | 11 December (Friday) |
| Terengganu | Sultan of Terengganu’s Birthday | 24 April (Friday) |
Replacement Holiday Rules
Malaysia has clear rules for what happens when a public holiday falls on a non-working day:
Standard Replacement (Most States)
- If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a replacement holiday
- If a public holiday falls on a Friday in states that observe Friday as a working day, there is no automatic replacement
Kelantan and Terengganu (Friday-Saturday Weekend)
These states observe Friday and Saturday as the weekend:
- If a public holiday falls on a Friday, the following Saturday is a replacement holiday
- If a public holiday falls on a Saturday, the following Sunday is a replacement holiday
Public Holidays Falling on Both Saturday and Sunday
If consecutive public holidays fall on Saturday and Sunday, both replacement days are typically observed on Monday and Tuesday.
How Public Holidays Affect Pay
Section 60D of the Employment Act 1955
Every employee in Malaysia is entitled to:
- 11 paid public holidays per year (10 federal + 1 state-specific ruler’s birthday)
- At least 14 days of annual leave (for employees with <2 years of service) up to 28 days (for employees with 5+ years of service)
Working on a Public Holiday
If an employee is required to work on a public holiday:
- They are entitled to an additional day off in lieu, OR
- They receive double pay for the day (as per their contract or collective agreement)
The specific entitlement depends on the employment contract and any applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Shift Workers
Shift workers have additional protections. If a public holiday falls on a rest day that is not their ordinary rest day, the employer must grant an additional day off or pay double wages.
Common Employer Challenges
1. Multi-State Operations
If your company operates in multiple Malaysian states, you need separate holiday calendars for each location. An employee in Johor may have a different public holiday schedule than one in Penang.
2. Islamic Calendar Variability
Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Haji dates shift annually based on the Islamic calendar. Monitor official announcements from the Prime Minister’s Department for confirmed dates each year.
3. Replacement Day Tracking
With multiple public holidays falling on weekends in 2026, tracking replacement days across states is critical. Missing a replacement holiday creates payroll discrepancies.
4. Contract vs. Statutory Entitlements
Some employment contracts offer more than the statutory 11 public holidays. Review your contracts to ensure you’re meeting or exceeding the contractual commitment.
Record-Keeping
You must maintain records of:
- Public holidays observed at each workplace location
- Days employees worked on public holidays
- Replacement days granted
- Any additional payments made for public holiday work
Retain these records for at least the duration of employment plus 6 years, as required under Malaysian employment law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many paid public holidays are employees entitled to in Malaysia?
Employees are entitled to a minimum of 11 paid public holidays per year: National Day, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday, the ruler or governor’s birthday of the relevant state, and any other 8 federal public holidays.
Can an employer reduce the number of public holidays below 11?
No. The 11-day minimum is a statutory entitlement under the Employment Act 1955. Employers can offer more but cannot reduce below 11.
What if Hari Raya falls on a different date in my state?
Hari Raya dates are nationally proclaimed. All states observe the same dates for Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Haji.
Do foreign employees get public holidays?
Yes. All employees working in Malaysia under the Employment Act 1955 are entitled to public holidays regardless of nationality or residency status.