Cuti Chinese New Year 2026 in Malaysia: Public Holiday Dates & HR Planning Guide

Chinese New Year (Tahun Baru Cina) is one of the most important festive seasons in Malaysia. Celebrated by the Chinese community nationwide, it also has a significant impact on workplaces, staffing, payroll planning, and leave management.

Because Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, its dates change every year. This makes early planning especially important for HR teams and employers who need to manage operations smoothly during the festive period.

This guide explains the official Chinese New Year 2026 public holiday dates, employer obligations, and practical planning tips to help organisations stay compliant and well-prepared.

Official Cuti Chinese New Year Dates 2026

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

17 February 2026 (Tuesday): Chinese New Year (Day 1)
18 February 2026 (Wednesday): Chinese New Year (Day 2)

These two days are recognised as public holidays across Malaysia, unless a state government announces otherwise.

How Many Days of Cuti Are Given?

In most states, employees are entitled to two days of public holiday for Chinese New Year.

But, based on historical practice, some states such as Kelantan and Terengganu may observe only one day of public holiday for Chinese New Year. Employers operating across multiple states should always verify state-specific holiday announcements to avoid compliance issues.

Implications for Employers & HR

Chinese New Year is also directly affects workforce availability and business continuity.

HR Planning Considerations

Plan leave schedules early to avoid last-minute shortages
Communicate official holiday dates clearly to all employees
Anticipate higher leave requests before and after the holiday
Coordinate shift coverage for essential operations

Payroll & Compliance

Ensure public holiday pay is processed correctly
Decide whether extended leave (cuti bersama) is offered
Confirm overtime or replacement leave arrangements

Compensation Rules

If an employee is required to work on an official Chinese New Year public holiday, employers must comply with Malaysia’s employment laws. Depending on the situation, this may involve:

Public holiday overtime pay (e.g. double or triple pay)
Replacement leave on another working day
Written employee consent, where applicable

Failure to compensate employees properly for public holiday work may result in labour disputes or enforcement action.

School Cuti vs Workplace Cuti

School holidays often extend beyond official public holidays, especially during major festivals like Chinese New Year. In 2026, schools receive additional festive leave days, which may not align exactly with workplace holidays.

For employers, this means:

Employees with school-going children may request longer leave
Family-friendly leave planning helps reduce absenteeism
Early communication can prevent scheduling conflicts

How to Plan Work Schedules Around CNY 2026

To minimise disruption, employers and HR teams can adopt the following strategies:

Encourage employees to submit leave applications early
Stagger shifts if business operations must continue
Avoid scheduling critical meetings immediately after the holiday
Offer flexible work arrangements where possible
Finalise payroll cut-off dates earlier due to shorter working weeks

Long Weekend Opportunities

Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday and Wednesday, which creates the possibility of a longer break if employees take additional leave:

Weekend before: 14–15 February 2026 (Saturday–Sunday)
Public holidays: 17–18 February 2026
Optional leave days may extend rest periods

Anticipate higher leave demand around these dates and plan coverage accordingly.

FAQs

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

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

How many days of holiday is Chinese New Year 2026?

Most states observe two public holidays, though some states may only observe one day.

Do employers have to pay extra if employees work on 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 workplace planning?

School holidays often last longer than workplace public holidays, which may influence employee leave requests and staffing needs.

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