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Public holidays in Malaysia include a mixture of secular holidays celebrating the nation, its histories, and traditional holidays of various ethnic and religious groups. Let’s find out the types of public holidays in Malaysia and key dates to look out for!
About Malaysia
Malaysia is a nation where Chinese joss houses, Hindu temples and gold-domed mosques collide with towering skyscrapers. Malaysia’s supercharged capital, Kuala Lumpur, resembles a crystal garden that has grown and expanded amid pockets of rainforests. Expect mouth-watering street food from Chinese noodles and Indian dosas to spicy Malay curries and seafood. Peninsular Malaysia is where people head to for bustling cities and colonial history, but the states of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo are the gateway to another world. Lush rainforests are inhabited by isolated indigenous groups, whose traditional way of life is vanishing fast as the modern world encroaches. Given the endless opportunities Malaysia offers, it is no wonder expats and foreigners alike flood there to set up business.
Holidays in Malaysia
National holidays are usually observed by most governmental and private organisations while State holidays are only relevant to the specific state itself. In addition, the main Holy days of each major religion are public holidays, and they will take place on either the western or religious calendars.
Types of Public Holidays in Malaysia
There are three different types of public holidays in Malaysia:
| Holiday | What does it mean? |
|---|---|
| Federal (National) Holidays | Fixed by federal government and observed nationwide |
| State Holidays | Each state may gazette a number of state public holidays to be observed in the state |
| Holidays by declaration | Prime Minister may declare any day to be observed as a public holiday |
Employment Laws for Public Holidays
Any employee whose employment is covered by the Employment Act 1955 are entitled to eleven paid public holidays a year. Five of the holidays are fixed by law namely:
- National Day
- Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday
- Birthday of the ruler or governor of the state
- Labor Day
- Malaysia Day
The remaining six holidays are to be chosen by an employer from the gazette public holidays. Any public holiday declared under Section 8 of the Holiday Act 1951 are to be counted as a paid holiday.
Key Public Holidays Celebrated in Malaysia
All the public holidays that are celebrated and observed in Malaysia are listed below – check out if your state is entitled to these holidays!
| Key Public Holiday | What is the occasion about? |
|---|---|
| Hari Merdeka | Independence Day/ National Day for Malaysia |
| Chinese New Year | Marks the start of the lunar new year |
| Wesak Day | Holiday observed by Buddhists and Hindus |
| The Yang di-Pertuan Agong | King of Malaysia’s date of birth |
| Hari Raya Puasa (Aidilfitri) | Marks the end of Ramadan where Muslims fast during daylight hours |
| Hari Raya Haji (Hari Raya Qurban) | Hari Raya Haji (Hari Raya Qurban) |
| Deepavali | Most important festival for our Hindu community and it symbolises the triumph of light over darkness – the victory of good over evil |
| Christmas | The season of giving, celebrated mostly by Christians |
| Awal Muharram | Marks the first day of new year in the Islamic calendar |
| Malaysia Day | Commemorates the establishment of Malaysian federation |
Public Holidays in Malaysia 2023
There are some key holidays celebrated in the country, and it is usually marked by a special occasion. These public holidays include:
| Date | Day | Public Holiday | States Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Sun | New Year’s Day | National except Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis & Terengganu |
| 2 Jan | Mon | New Year Holiday | National except Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis & Terengganu |
| 14 Jan | Sat | YDPB Negeri Sembilan’s Birthday | Negeri Sembilan |
| 22 Jan | Sun | Chinese New Year | National |
| 23 Jan | Mon | Chinese New Year Holiday | National |
| 24 Jan | Tue | Chinese New Year Holiday | National except Johor, Kedah, Kelantan & Terengganu |
| 1 Feb | Mon | Federal Territory Day | Kuala Lumpur, Labuan & Putrajaya |
| 4 Feb | Sat | Thaipusam | Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya & Selangor |
| 18 Feb | Sat | Israk and Mikraj | Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis & Terengganu |
| 19 Feb | Sun | Israk and Mikraj Holiday | Kedah & Terengganu |
| 4 Mar | Sat | Installation of Sultan Terengganu | Terengganu |
| 23 Mar | Thu | Sultan of Johor’s Birthday | Johor |
| 23 Mar | Thu | Awal Ramadan | Johor, Kedah & Melaka |
| 7 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | Sabah & Sarawak |
| 8 Apr | Sat | Nuzul Al-Quran | National except Johor, Kedah, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah & Sarawak |
| 9 Apr | Sun | Nuzul Al-Quran Holiday | Kelantan & Terengganu |
| 15 Apr | Sat | Declaration of Melaka as a Historical City | Melaka |
| 22 Apr | Sat | Hari Raya Aidilfitri | National |
| 23 Apr | Sun | Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holiday | National |
| 24 Apr | Mon | Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holiday | National |
| 26 Apr | Wed | Sultan of Terengganu’s Birthday | Terengganu |
May
| Date | Day | Public Holiday | States Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | Mon | Labour Day | National |
| 4 May | Thu | Wesak Day | National |
| 17 May | Wed | Raja Perlis’ Birthday | Perlis |
| 22 May | Mon | Hari Hol Pahang | Pahang |
| 30 May | Tue | Harvest Festival | Labuan & Sabah |
| 31 May | Wed | Harvest Festival Holiday | Labuan & Sabah |
| 1 Jun | Thu | Hari Gawai | Sarawak |
| 2 Jun | Fri | Hari Gawai Holiday | Sarawak |
| 5 Jun | Mon | Agong’s Birthday | National |
| 18 Jun | Sun | Sultan of Kedah’s Birthday | Kedah |
| 27 Jun | Tue | Arafat Day | Terengganu |
| 29 Jun | Thu | Hari Raya Haji | National |
| 30 Jul | Fri | Hari Raya Haji Holiday | Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis & Terengganu |
| 7 Jul | Fri | Georgetown World Heritage City Day | Penang |
| 8 Jul | Sat | Penang Governor’s Birthday | Penang |
| 19 Jul | Wed | Awal Muharram | National |
| 22 Jul | Sat | Sarawak Day | Sarawak |
| 30 Jul | Sun | Sultan of Pahang’s Birthday | Pahang |
| 24 Aug | Thu | Melaka Governor’s Birthday | Melaka |
| 31 Aug | Thu | Merdeka Day | National |
| 16 Sep | Sat | Malaysia Day | National |
| 17 Sep | Sun | Malaysia Day Holiday | Kelantan & Terengganu |
| 28 Sep | Thu | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | National |
| 7 Oct | Sat | Sabah Governor’s Birthday | Sabah |
| 14 Oct | Sat | Sarawak Governor’s Birthday | Sarawak |
| 3 Nov | Fri | Sultan of Perak’s Birthday | Perak |
| 11 Nov | Sat | Sultan of Kelantan’s Birthday | Kelantan |
| 12 Nov | Sun | Deepavali | National except Sarawak |
| 12 Nov | Sun | Sultan of Kelantan’s Birthday Holiday | Kelantan |
| 13 Nov | Mon | Deepavali Holiday | National except Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Sarawak & Terengganu |
| 11 Dec | Mon | Sultan of Selangor’s Birthday | Selangor |
| 24 Dec | Sun | Christmas Eve | Sabah |
| 25 Dec | Mon | Christmas Day | National |
Note: Public holidays dates are not fixed and are subject to change based on governments’ rulings.
FAQs
Yes. Christmas is a public holiday in Malaysia.Â
If a public holiday falls on Sunday in Malaysia, you will get a replacement day off on Monday.Â
If you must work on a public holiday, you do get double wages. If you happen to work overtime on the public holiday, kindly noted that you are entitled to triple wages.
Compliant with Malaysia’s Employment Act 1955, you are either entitled to a replacement holiday or one extra day’s salary of the Public Holiday at an ordinary rate of pay if a public holiday falls on your non-working day.
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