2025 Holidays - Malaysia

Malaysia Public Holiday Observance Rules

1. Entitlement to Public Holidays

- Employees are entitled to 11 paid public holidays each year, 5 of which are compulsory:

• National Day (Hari Merdeka)
• Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Birthday
• Birthday of the Ruler or Governor of the State (or Federal Territory Day)
• Labour Day
• Malaysia Day

- The remaining 6 holidays are chosen by the employer from the gazetted public holidays, with notice provided to employees before the start of each calendar year. Source

2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Rest Day or Non-Working Day

- In states observing a Saturday–Sunday weekend, if a public holiday falls on Sunday (the rest day), it is substituted by a holiday on Monday.

- In states with a Friday–Saturday weekend (e.g., Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu), if a public holiday falls on Friday (the rest day), it is replaced by a holiday on Sunday.

- If a public holiday falls on a non-working day that is not a rest day, there is no automatic replacement, and it is at the employer's discretion to provide a replacement. Source

3. When Two Public Holidays Fall on the Same Day

- For government institutions, there is no automatic replacement holiday when two public holidays fall on the same working day, although the government may designate another day as a public holiday.

- For private sector employees, if the employer chooses to observe both public holidays, a replacement holiday is given on the next working day, or another day if the employees agree. Source

4. Working on Public Holidays

- Employees required to work on a public holiday are entitled to:

• Their regular pay for the hours worked.
• An additional day's pay at the ordinary rate of pay.

- Alternatively, the employer may substitute the public holiday with another day. Source

5. Additional Notes

- Malaysia's public holidays are regulated at both federal and state levels, resulting in variations across different states and territories.

- Employers and employees should refer to the Employment Act 1955 and any applicable state laws or collective agreements for specific provisions related to public holidays and work schedules. Source