Malaysia public holiday guide 2026
Learn how public holidays work in Malaysia, including paid holiday entitlement, state holidays, replacement holidays and holiday work pay.
Check Malaysia Public Holiday Rules
Want to understand how public holidays affect work, salary and overtime? This guide explains public holiday entitlement, replacement holidays and common payroll situations.
Read Public Holiday Rules →Public Holiday Quick Summary
Public holidays are gazetted holidays observed in Malaysia. Employees may be entitled to paid holidays or additional pay depending on whether they are required to work.
What Are Public Holidays?
Public holidays are official holidays declared at national or state level. In Malaysia, some public holidays apply nationwide while others apply only in certain states.
Public holidays are important for payroll because they may affect paid leave, work schedules, replacement holidays and overtime calculations.
Types of Public Holidays in Malaysia
Public holidays in Malaysia can generally be grouped into national holidays and state holidays.
| Holiday Type | Applies To | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| National Public Holiday | Usually all Malaysia | Examples include major nationwide holidays. |
| State Public Holiday | Specific states only | Examples include state ruler birthdays or state-specific holidays. |
| Replacement Holiday | Depends on situation | May apply when a holiday falls on a rest day or under company policy. |
Replacement Public Holidays
A replacement public holiday may apply when a public holiday falls on a rest day, non-working day or another day that is not normally worked by the employee. This is one of the most common public holiday questions for employees and HR teams in Malaysia.
The exact treatment may depend on the gazetted holiday, the employee's work schedule, the relevant state, employment contract and company policy. Employees should check the official company holiday calendar instead of assuming every replacement holiday applies automatically.
Working on a Public Holiday
Employees who are required to work on an applicable public holiday may be entitled to additional compensation depending on eligibility, employment terms and payroll rules. Public holiday work is usually treated differently from work on an ordinary day because it involves working on a gazetted holiday.
In practice, employers usually need to track whether the employee worked full day, half day or additional overtime hours during the public holiday. Payroll teams should record the date, hours worked and applicable holiday rate clearly to avoid disputes.
Public Holiday Pay and Work
If an employee is not required to work on an applicable public holiday, the holiday is usually treated as paid time off for eligible employees. If the employee is required to work, additional pay or holiday work rates may apply.
Example Public Holiday Situation
If an employee is scheduled to work on a public holiday, payroll may need to consider:
- Whether the holiday applies to the employee's state or workplace
- Whether the employee is required to work
- Whether additional pay, overtime or replacement holiday applies
The actual calculation should follow employment terms, payroll policy and applicable legal requirements.
National vs State Public Holidays
Not every public holiday applies to every employee in Malaysia. Some holidays are national, while others are state-specific. This means employees in different states may have different holiday calendars.
Businesses operating in multiple states should be careful when setting holiday schedules and payroll rules.
Common Public Holiday Situations
National Holiday
Applies broadly across Malaysia, depending on the gazetted holiday.
State Holiday
Applies only to employees in the relevant state or workplace location.
Replacement Holiday
May apply when holidays overlap with rest days or company policy.
Holiday Work
Working on a public holiday may affect pay and overtime treatment.
Public Holiday During Annual Leave
If a public holiday falls during a period of approved annual leave, employees commonly ask whether that day should still be deducted from their annual leave balance. The treatment may depend on company policy, the holiday calendar and whether the holiday applies to the employee's workplace location.
As a general payroll practice, HR should clearly distinguish between annual leave days and applicable public holidays when updating leave records. Employees should also check their leave balance after returning from leave to ensure the correct number of days was deducted.
Public Holiday During Medical Leave
Public holidays may also overlap with medical leave. For example, an employee may be on MC during a week that includes a public holiday. In this situation, HR may need to review whether the absence should be recorded as medical leave, public holiday or another leave category.
The correct treatment may depend on the medical certificate, company policy, payroll system and applicable employment rules. Employees should submit medical certificates on time so HR can record the absence correctly.
Common Public Holiday Mistakes
Public holiday payroll mistakes usually happen because employees and employers assume every public holiday works the same way. In Malaysia, state holidays, replacement holidays and holiday work rules can create different outcomes.
- Assuming all public holidays apply nationwide
- Ignoring state-specific public holidays
- Misunderstanding replacement holiday rules
- Confusing public holidays with rest days
- Applying the wrong payroll treatment for holiday work
- Not checking whether the holiday applies to the employee's workplace location
Common Public Holiday Examples
Example 1: Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday
If a public holiday falls on a Sunday or rest day, a replacement holiday may apply depending on the holiday, state and employment arrangement.
Example 2: Employee Works During Hari Raya
If an employee is required to work during an applicable Hari Raya public holiday, payroll may need to calculate holiday work pay or overtime based on the relevant rules.
Example 3: Public Holiday During Annual Leave
If an employee is on annual leave and an applicable public holiday falls within the leave period, HR may need to check whether that day should be treated as annual leave or public holiday.
Public Holiday vs Annual Leave vs MC Leave vs Rest Day
| Type | Main Purpose | Usually Paid? |
|---|---|---|
| Public Holiday | Official gazetted holiday | Yes, if applicable |
| Annual Leave | Employee's planned paid leave | Yes |
| Medical Leave | Illness or medical reasons with valid medical certificate | Yes, if eligible |
| Rest Day | Weekly rest day or non-working day | Depends on employment arrangement |
Official Reference
Public holiday requirements may change from time to time. Employees and employers should refer to official government announcements, the latest public holiday calendar and applicable employment regulations for the most up-to-date information.
Who Should Read This Public Holiday Guide?
- Employees checking whether a public holiday applies to them
- Job seekers comparing work schedules and holiday benefits
- HR and payroll staff planning public holiday calendars
- Business owners managing staffing, payroll and holiday work
Frequently Asked Questions
Are public holidays paid in Malaysia?
Applicable public holidays are normally paid for eligible employees. The exact entitlement may depend on employment terms, location, holiday type and company policy.
Do all public holidays apply to every employee?
No. Some public holidays are national while others are state-specific. Employees should check whether the holiday applies to their workplace location.
What happens if an employee works on a public holiday?
Working on a public holiday may result in additional pay, overtime or other compensation depending on eligibility and applicable employment rules.
Is a replacement holiday required if a public holiday falls on a rest day?
Replacement holiday treatment may depend on the holiday, rest day arrangement, state rules, employment terms and company policy.
Can employers choose which public holidays to observe?
Employers must follow applicable legal requirements and employment terms. Some holidays may be mandatory while others may depend on the workplace calendar and policy.
Does public holiday work affect overtime calculation?
Yes. Work performed on a public holiday may use different rates compared with normal overtime, depending on eligibility and payroll rules.
Can employers require employees to work on public holidays?
Employers may require employees to work on public holidays depending on business needs, employment terms and applicable rules. If the public holiday applies to the employee, additional pay or another form of compensation may apply depending on eligibility.
Can public holidays be replaced with another day?
Public holidays may sometimes be replaced with another day depending on the holiday, rest day arrangement, state rules and company policy. Employees should check the official company holiday calendar.
What happens if a public holiday falls during annual leave?
If an applicable public holiday falls during annual leave, HR may need to check whether the day should be treated as public holiday instead of deducting annual leave. The actual treatment may depend on company policy and employment terms.
What happens if a public holiday falls during medical leave?
If a public holiday overlaps with medical leave, the treatment may depend on the medical certificate, HR policy and payroll rules. Employees should submit their MC properly so the absence can be recorded correctly.
Are state public holidays paid?
State public holidays may be paid for eligible employees if the holiday applies to their workplace location or employment arrangement. Employees working in different states may follow different holiday calendars.
Do part-time employees receive public holiday benefits?
Public holiday benefits for part-time employees may depend on employment terms, work schedule and applicable employment rules. Part-time employees should review their employment contract or check with HR.
Related Employment Guides
Continue reading related Malaysia employment guides to understand leave, holidays and payroll rules.
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