Chinese New Year 2026 Public Holidays in Malaysia: HR, Payroll & Workforce Planning Guide

Chinese New Year (Tahun Baru Cina) remains one of Malaysia’s most significant festive seasons, with a direct impact on business operations, workforce availability, payroll processing, and leave management.

For HR teams and employers, Chinese New Year is not just a celebration—it is a critical compliance and planning period. Because the festival follows the lunar calendar, the dates change every year, making early HR preparation essential to avoid last-minute disruption, payroll errors, or employee dissatisfaction.

This guide outlines the official Chinese New Year 2026 public holiday dates, explains employer obligations under Malaysian labour laws, and provides practical HR planning strategies to help organisations remain compliant and operationally prepared.

Official Chinese New Year Public Holiday Dates (2026)

In 2026, Chinese New Year falls in February, and the following dates are officially recognised as public holidays in Malaysia:

• 17 February 2026 (Tuesday) – Chinese New Year (Day 1)

• 18 February 2026 (Wednesday) – Chinese New Year (Day 2)

These dates apply nationwide, unless a state government announces otherwise.

How Many Days of Chinese New Year Public Holiday Are Employees Entitled To?

For most states in Malaysia, two days of public holiday are observed for Chinese New Year.

However, based on historical practice:

• Kelantan and Terengganu may observe only one public holiday for Chinese New Year.

Important for employers operating across multiple states:
HR teams should always verify state-specific public holiday announcements to avoid non-compliance, especially for payroll and public holiday pay calculations.

HR & Employer Implications During Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year often results in reduced workforce availability, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, retail, logistics, and services. Proper planning is essential to maintain business continuity.

Key HR Planning Considerations

• Plan leave schedules early to prevent manpower shortages

• Clearly communicate confirmed public holiday dates to all employees

• Anticipate increased leave requests before and after the festive period

• Arrange shift coverage for essential or 24/7 operations

• Align department heads on workforce availability expectations

Using a centralised HR system like Pandahrms allows HR teams to track leave applications, approvals, and balances in real time—reducing manual coordination during peak festive periods.

Payroll & Compliance Obligations During Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year public holidays directly affect payroll processing and statutory compliance.

Employers should ensure:

• Public holiday pay is calculated and processed correctly

• Decisions on extended closure or cuti bersama are documented clearly

• Overtime or replacement leave arrangements comply with labour laws

• Payroll cut-off dates are adjusted due to shorter working weeks

Failure to manage payroll properly during festive periods can lead to employee disputes or compliance risks.

Compensation Rules for Working on Chinese New Year Public Holidays

If an employee is required to work on an official Chinese New Year public holiday, employers must comply with the Employment Act 1955 and relevant regulations.

Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:

• Public holiday pay (double or triple pay, where applicable)

• Replacement leave on another working day

• Written employee consent, where required

Employers who fail to compensate employees correctly for public holiday work may face complaints, penalties, or enforcement action.

How Employers Can Plan Work Schedules Around CNY 2026

To minimise disruption and ensure compliance, HR teams should consider the following best practices:

• Encourage early submission of leave applications

• Stagger shifts if operations must continue

• Avoid scheduling critical meetings immediately after the festive break

• Offer flexible or hybrid work arrangements where feasible

• Finalise payroll processing earlier due to shorter working weeks

With Pandahrms’ leave and payroll modules, HR teams can automate approvals, track workforce availability, and ensure accurate payroll—especially during festive seasons.

Long Weekend & Extended Leave Considerations (CNY 2026)

Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday and Wednesday, creating the potential for a longer festive break:

• Weekend before: 14–15 February 2026 (Saturday–Sunday)

• Public holidays: 17–18 February 2026 (Tuesday–Wednesday)

Employees may request additional leave to extend their break. Employers should anticipate higher leave demand around this period and plan workforce coverage accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the official Chinese New Year public holidays in Malaysia for 2026?

Chinese New Year 2026 is observed on 17 and 18 February 2026 as public holidays nationwide.

How many days of public holiday are given for Chinese New Year?

Most states observe two days, although certain states may observe only one day.

Do employers need to pay extra if employees work during Chinese New Year?

Yes. Employees who work on a public holiday must receive additional compensation or replacement leave, in accordance with Malaysian labour laws.

Can employees take additional leave around Chinese New Year?

Yes. Employees may apply for annual leave or unpaid leave, subject to company policy and approval.

How do school holidays affect HR planning?

School holidays often extend beyond public holidays, which may increase leave requests and affect workforce availability.

Stay Compliant and Prepared with Pandahrms

Chinese New Year is a festive season—but for HR, it is also a compliance-critical period. Proper planning, clear communication, and accurate payroll processing are essential to avoid disruption.

With Pandahrms, employers can:

• Centralise public holiday calendars

• Automate leave approvals

• Track workforce availability in real time

• Ensure payroll accuracy during festive periods