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Malaysia, as one of the South Asian nations, has the potential to attract an employer in search of a remote workforce due to its highly promising human resources and a relatively upgrading digital environment. However, if you want to achieve the goal of hiring successfully, it is important to know about public holidays in this country and how they will impact the availability and productivity of your remote workers.
Public Holidays 2024 in Malaysia
According to kabinet.gov.my, the following are the holidays in Malaysia in 2024, both at the national and state levels:
Public Holiday in Q1 2024
Public Holiday in Q2 2024
Public Holiday in Q3 2024
Public Holiday in Q4 2024
The table above illustrates that Malaysia has two types of holidays: national holidays, observed throughout the country, and state public holidays, which vary across its 13 states.
National Public Holidays in Malaysia
There are 11 national public holidays in Malaysia, each giving an added glimpse into the varied cultural landscape of Malaysia. The list includes:
- Hari Kebangsaan (National Day): On August 31st 1957, Malaysia declared independence from British colonial rule.
- Birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong: This is the birthday of the King and a national holiday, but the date varies each year.
- Chinese New Year: Lively festival events generally fall in January or February, depending on the start of the lunar new year.
- Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr): Joyful Celebration that marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
- Hari Raya Haji (Eid al-Adha): This is an important holiday for Muslims to celebrate the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son.
- Deepavali (Diwali): The Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
- Christmas Day: 25th December, which memorialises the birth of Jesus Christ.
- Labour Day: 1st May is a holiday to commemorate contributions by workers
- Wesak Day: Buddhist religious festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha.
- Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year): The first day of the Hejira calendar starts a new year for Muslims.
- Malaysia Day: It falls on the 16th of September, marking the birth of the Malaysian federation in 1963.
Also Read: Indonesia Public Holidays + Joint Leaves 2024
State Public Holidays in Malaysia
In addition to national holidays, each state in Malaysia observes its own set of public holidays. These holidays can range from 4 to 6 days, bringing the total number of holidays in some states like Sabah and Terengganu to 20. Some of the most common state holidays include:
- Birthday of the Sultan or Governor: Each state celebrates the birthday of its ruler as a public holiday
- Nuzul Al-Quran - Commemorates the revelation of the Quran, observed in seven states and all three federal territories
- Thaipusam - A Hindu festival celebrated in five states and two federal territories.
- Federal Territory Day – This is a public holiday which is celebrated in the three federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.
- Other State Specific Holidays – Some of the states have their own holidays or celebrations depending on their culture and historical background.
Some examples of state-specific holidays include:
- Selangor - Hari Hol Pahang
- Penang - George Town World Heritage Day
- Johor - Birthday of Sultan Iskandar
- Sabah - Kaamatan Festival
- Sarawak - Gawai Dayak Festival
Holidays by Declaration
The Prime Minister has the power to declare additional public holidays for events of national significance, such as elections, installations of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or to celebrate sporting achievements. State governments can also declare occasional holidays for events like the installation of the state ruler or major sporting victories.
Section 8 of the Holidays Act 1951 empowers the Prime Minister of Malaysia to declare any day as a public holiday in:
- The whole of Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan: This covers the majority of the country's landmass.
- One of the federal territories: This includes Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan.
- One of the states: After consultation with the relevant state government, the Prime Minister can declare a holiday specific to a single state.
Key points about holidays declared under Section 8:
- Mandatory observance: These declared holidays must be observed by all employers as paid holidays.
- Examples of usage: Holidays have been declared under Section 8 for events such as general elections, installations of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and to celebrate major sporting victories.
- State-level declarations: Sabah and Sarawak have similar provisions in their respective Holidays Ordinances, allowing their state governments to declare additional holidays.
Work on Public Holiday
Employees who work on public holidays are entitled to both holiday pay and a 200% premium on their ordinary rate of pay, even for less than normal hours worked. Overtime on public holidays earns a 300% premium on the hourly rate. However, unauthorized absence on days surrounding public holidays results in loss of holiday pay, unless a reasonable excuse is provided.
Navigating Malaysia's public holidays is crucial when hiring remote talent. By understanding these holidays and their potential impact on your team's availability, you can foster a productive and respectful working relationship.
If you're ready to tap into Malaysia's skilled remote workforce, Talentport can streamline the hiring process. We specialize in connecting businesses with top talent in Malaysia and handling all the complexities of international hiring, including compliance with local labor laws and holiday regulations.
Ready to build your dream remote team in Malaysia? Contact Talentport today!
