Planning employee leave, payroll timelines, and manpower coverage becomes significantly easier when employers understand Malaysia’s public holidays early.
In Malaysia, public holidays are not uniform across all states. Employers must manage a combination of federal public holidays, state-declared holidays, and replacement holidays, all of which directly affect employee entitlement, payroll processing, overtime calculations, and daily operations.
For organisations with multi-state operations, shift workers, frontline teams, or customer-facing roles, incorrect public holiday application is one of the most common HR compliance risks.
This guide provides a complete Malaysia Public Holiday 2026 reference, structured specifically for employers and HR teams to support workforce planning, payroll accuracy, and compliance with the Employment Act 1955.
Why Public Holiday Planning Matters for Employers
Public holidays impact far more than just time off.
From an HR and compliance perspective, public holidays directly affect:
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Paid public holiday entitlement
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Replacement holiday requirements
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Public holiday pay rates
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Overtime (OT) calculations
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Manpower scheduling and coverage
Without early planning, employers may face:
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Last-minute leave clashes
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Payroll disputes
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Employee dissatisfaction
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Risk of Labour Department complaints
Early visibility allows HR teams to publish accurate calendars, manage expectations, and maintain fair treatment across departments.
Important HR Reminder: Work Location Determines Entitlement
Public holiday entitlement is based on the employee’s work location, not:
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Company headquarters
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Payroll location
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Registered business address
Employers with branches in different states must apply state-specific public holidays correctly for each employee.
Failing to do so may result in underpayment or incorrect replacement leave.
Malaysia Public Holidays 2026 – Complete List by Month & State
Below is the official public holiday reference for 2026. Employers should always apply holidays based on the employee’s working state.
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
HR Planning Tips for 2026
1. Publish the Holiday Calendar Early
Share the full public holiday calendar early so employees can plan leave in advance. This helps reduce last-minute requests and internal conflicts.
2. Identify Peak Leave Periods
Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, school holidays, and year-end periods typically see high leave demand. Flag these early and prepare coverage plans.
3. Control Leave Approvals
Avoid approving leave for too many employees at the same time, especially for operational and frontline roles. A staggered approach maintains productivity.
4. Apply State-Based Rules Accurately
Always follow the employee’s working state when applying public holidays, replacement leave, OT, and payroll calculations.
Managing Public Holidays Across States Can Be Challenging
For employers operating across multiple states, managing public holidays manually can quickly become complex.
Different public holiday entitlements, replacement leave rules, and varying rest days often lead to:
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Incorrect holiday application
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Missed replacement leave
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Payroll miscalculations
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Employee disputes
This is where a structured HR system becomes essential.
With Pandahrms Leave Management System, employers can:
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Assign state-based public holiday calendars by work location
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Automatically reflect replacement public holidays
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Ensure leave entitlement follows the Employment Act 1955
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Reduce manual tracking errors
By centralising holiday rules, HR teams can maintain consistency and compliance across the organisation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Are public holidays the same for all states?
No. Some holidays apply nationwide, while others are state-specific.
2. If a public holiday falls on Sunday, is replacement leave required?
In most states, the following working day becomes a replacement public holiday.
3. If employees work on a public holiday, what must employers do?
Employers must comply with public holiday pay rates or provide replacement leave in accordance with the Employment Act 1955.
4. How many paid public holidays must employers provide?
At least 11 paid public holidays per year for employees covered under the Employment Act.
Final HR Reminder
Public holidays are a statutory entitlement — not a discretionary benefit.
Proper planning, correct state application, and accurate payroll treatment help employers avoid disputes while maintaining trust and operational stability throughout 2026.
