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Meta description: Plan ahead with this HR guide for Malaysia public holiday 2025, complete with national and state holidays. Maximize employee productivity and prepare for long weekends!
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 2025 in Malaysia
According to kabinet.gov.my, the following are the holidays in Malaysia in 2025, both at the national and state levels:
Public Holiday in Q1 2025
Public Holiday in Q2 2025
Public Holiday in Q3 2025
Public Holiday in Q4 2025
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
Malaysia observes 14 national public holidays, except for Sarawak, which has 13. These holidays are designated by the federal government and are observed nationwide, with some exceptions:
- Maulidur Rasul – Celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad. The date varies based on the Islamic calendar.
- Hari Kebangsaan (Independence Day) – August 31 – Marks Malaysia’s independence from British rule in 1957, celebrated with parades and patriotic events.
- Chinese New Year – Marks the start of the lunar new year, widely celebrated with family reunions, lion dances, and giving red packets. (Two days in most states, one day in Kelantan and Terengganu.) The date varies based on the Chinese calendar.
- Wesak Day – A major Buddhist celebration commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha. The date varies based on the Buddhist calendar.
- Birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong – Celebrates the official birthday of Malaysia’s King. The date may change depending on the reigning monarch.
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri – Two days – Celebrates the end of Ramadan with feasting and forgiveness. The date varies based on the Islamic calendar.
- Hari Raya Haji (Aidiladha) – Commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, with livestock sacrifices and charity. (Two days in Kelantan and Terengganu, one day in other states.) The date varies based on the Islamic calendar.
- Deepavali – The Hindu Festival of Lights, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. (Not observed in Sarawak.) The date varies based on the Hindu calendar
- Christmas – December 25 – Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
- Labour Day – May 1 – Honors workers and labor movements, recognized as a public holiday worldwide.
- Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year) – Marks the Islamic New Year and the beginning of the Hijri calendar. The date varies based on the Islamic calendar.
- Malaysia Day – September 16 – Commemorates the birth of the Malaysian federation in 1963.
See also: Indonesia Public Holidays + Joint Leaves 2025
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 Perlis, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan
- Thaipusam – A Hindu festival celebrated mainly in Johor, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya and Selangor, involving processions and acts of devotion.
- Good Friday – A Christian holiday observed in Sabah and Sarawak, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
- Israk and Mikraj – An Islamic holiday marking Prophet Muhammad’s night journey and ascension to heaven, observed in Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, and Perlis.
- Federal Territory Day – This is a public holiday which is celebrated in the three federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.
- Awal Ramadan – Marks the first day of the fasting month, observed in Johor and Kedah.
- 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:
- Pahang – Hari Hol Pahang
- Penang – George Town World Heritage Day
- Johor - The Sultan of Johor’s Birthday
- 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 are entitled to paid public holidays as mandated by the Employment Act 1955. Below are the compensation for working on public holidays:
- Regular Working Hours: Employees who work during their normal working hours on a public holiday are entitled to double their ordinary rate of pay. This means they receive their regular daily wage plus an additional day's wage.
- Overtime Hours: If employees work beyond their normal working hours on a public holiday, they are entitled to triple their ordinary hourly rate for the overtime hours worked.
If an employee is absent without reasonable cause or employer consent on the working day immediately before or after a public holiday, they forfeit their entitlement to holiday pay for that public holiday.
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!
