15 Sept Declared Additional Public Holiday for Malaysia Day 2025

Good news (and an important update) for all employers and HR professionals in Malaysia — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has officially declared 15 September 2025 as an additional public holiday in conjunction with Hari Malaysia.

Yes, that means a long weekend for the rakyat this year, with Malaysia Day falling on Tuesday, 16 September 2025 and the newly announced public holiday on Monday, 15 September 2025.

But as exciting as it sounds for employees, this announcement brings with it some important considerations for business owners and HRs.

In this article, we’ll explain:

What is Hari Malaysia?
Why is 15 September declared a public holiday in 2025?
What does this mean for employers (in terms of planning, compliance, and payroll)?
How can businesses prepare for this?
And how can this extra holiday be turned into an opportunity?

What is Hari Malaysia (Malaysia Day)?

Hari Malaysia or Malaysia Day is celebrated every year on 16 September.

It marks the official formation of Malaysia in 1963 when Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined Malaya to form a new nation: Malaysia.

Unlike Merdeka Day (31 August), which celebrates independence from British rule, Hari Malaysia commemorates the actual birth of Malaysia as a country.

It’s a meaningful day that highlights unity, diversity, and shared national identity — especially important in a multicultural country like ours.

Why 15 September 2025 is Declared a Public Holiday

The 2025 Malaysia Day celebration is set to be special.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Monday, 15 September 2025 will be declared an extra public holiday, giving Malaysians a long weekend leading into Hari Malaysia on Tuesday, 16 September.

The reason? “This holiday is a gesture of appreciation for the bonds of unity and the uniqueness of Malaysia’s formation,” said Anwar in a national broadcast.

He added that this extra day is also meant to:

Encourage Malaysians to go back to their hometowns and spend time with family.
Promote domestic tourism by giving people time to travel within the country.
Strengthen the spirit of unity and reflect on the nation’s journey.

The announcement was also framed as a “Madani gesture” — showing the government’s concern for the rakyat’s welfare and its efforts to balance economic growth with social wellbeing.

Is 15 September a Compulsory Public Holiday?

Let’s clarify: Malaysia has two types of public holidays:

Compulsory Public Holidays (National level) — e.g., Merdeka Day, Hari Malaysia, Agong’s Birthday
Optional Public Holidays — These are announced at the discretion of the Prime Minister or state governments

Since 15 September 2025 is announced by the Prime Minister as an additional national-level holiday, it is treated as a gazetted public holiday for that year.

So yes, you must observe it, unless your employees are involved in essential services (and are properly compensated).

What Happens to Salary and Overtime?

If your employees are not working on 15 September, they are entitled to a paid holiday.

If they are required to work, you must follow Employment Act 1955 guidelines:

Scenario	Entitlement
Employee does not work	Paid public holiday
Employee works	Paid public holiday + double pay (2x daily wage)
Employee works overtime	Additional triple pay (3x hourly rate)

This applies to employees earning RM4,000 and below, and certain categories above RM4,000 under the EA scope.

Planning Holiday Request Tips for HR & Employers

1. Update Internal Calendars & Notify Employees

Update your internal holiday calendars, time-off systems, and shift workers. Notify your staff through email, WhatsApp, or internal HR portals.

Sample Announcement:

“Dear Team,
In line with the recent government announcement, please be informed that Monday, 15 September 2025 has been declared a public holiday nationwide. Let’s plan ahead accordingly.”

2. Adjust Payroll and OT Calculations

Ensure your payroll system is updated to reflect public holiday calculations. Pay attention to:

Full daily wages for those who don’t work
Overtime rates for those who do
Shift replacements or makeup days, if any

3. Plan for Business Continuity (Especially for Ops Teams)

For sectors like logistics, F&B, healthcare, and manufacturing — operations may need to continue. Make sure:

There’s enough staffs on duty
Leaves are approved with backup plans
OT is pre-approved and tracked

4. Turn It Into an Employer Branding Opportunity

Encourage employees to enjoy the break! You can:

Organize a company team building on 13–15 Sept
Share social media posts about your team celebrating unity for Malaysia Day

Example LinkedIn post:

"We believe in celebrating Malaysia’s diversity and unity — and that includes giving our team time to reconnect and recharge. Happy Malaysia Day from all of us!"

Recap: Key Points for Malaysian Employers

Key Item	Summary
What’s New?	15 September 2025 declared public holiday for Malaysia Day
Type of Holiday	National public holiday (one-off for 2025)
Impacts Payroll?	Yes – paid leave or double pay if working
Applies to All Sectors?	Yes, unless specifically exempt or essential services
Must Update HR Calendar?	Yes – add to 2025 public holiday list
Compensation Rules?	Follow EA1955 public holiday pay guidelines

Need Extra Help During the Long Weekend?

Looking for additional team members to support your business during the Malaysia Day long weekend or beyond?

We can help you find reliable part-timers, contract staff, or full-time employees fast — whether it’s for F&B, retail, customer service, or logistics.