Cuti Umum Johor 2026: Full Holiday List & HR Manpower Planning Guide

Each year, Johor has a mix of federal and state public holidays, along with school holidays that affect many working families. Whether you are managing staff schedules or planning personal leave, having a clear view of Johor’s holiday calendar for 2026 makes planning easier and more predictable.

Johor Public Holidays 2026 (State & Federal)

In Malaysia, public holidays are divided into federal public holidays (observed nationwide) and state public holidays, which apply only to certain states, including Johor.

Johor observes a mix of:

• National holidays

• Major religious and cultural celebrations

• Johor-specific holidays related to the Sultan and state observances

Below are the official public holidays for Johor in 2026, based on the Johor State Government announcement.

Johor Public Holiday List 2026

Holiday dates below are subject to official confirmation and amendments by authorities.

Source: Johor State Government announcement

Important Notes on Johor Public Holidays

Some public holidays fall on weekends, especially Sundays. Some companies need to give replacement holidays, which depends on:

• Federal regulations

• State announcements

• Employer or company policy

But, not all employers automatically grant a replacement day unless it is stated in:

• Employment contracts

• Company handbook

• Collective agreements

HR teams should always clarify replacement leave internally to avoid misunderstandings.

Johor School Holidays 2026

School holidays are determined by the Ministry of Education (KPM). Johor follows the Group B school calendar, which applies to most states in Malaysia.

Key School Dates for Johor (Group B) 2026

• School session starts: 12 January 2026

• Term 1 break: 21 March – 29 March 2026

• Mid-year school holidays: 23 May – 7 June 2026

• Term 2 break: 29 August – 6 October 2026

• End-of-year school holidays: 5 December – 31 December 2026

These dates are especially important for parents planning leave during peak travel and festive seasons. Holiday dates are subject to official confirmation and amendments by authorities.

Sumber: Jabatan Penerangan Negeri Johor

 

Group B School Calendar Explanation

Malaysia divides school calendars into Group A and Group B to manage regional differences. Group B states include:

• Johor

• Melaka

• Negeri Sembilan

• Pahang

• Perak

• Perlis

• Pulau Pinang

• Sabah

• Sarawak

• Selangor

• Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya & Labuan

Johor follows Group B dates, which is why its school holidays may differ from states like Kedah, Kelantan, or Terengganu (Group A).

Why Johor Public & School Holidays Matter for Employers & HR

Public and school holidays affect many things in the company. These dates influence:

Workforce Availability and Operational Continuity

Johor has several state-specific public holidays, including Sultan-related observances, which may not apply in other states.

If employers overlook these dates, they may face sudden staff shortages, especially in operations-heavy industries such as manufacturing, retail, logistics, healthcare, and customer service. Advance awareness allows HR to plan shift rotations, standby teams, or temporary coverage where needed.

Payroll Accuracy and Public Holiday Pay

Public holidays directly impact payroll calculations. Employees who work on gazetted public holidays may be entitled to additional pay or replacement leave, depending on the Employment Act 1955 and company policy.

Missing or misclassifying a Johor-specific holiday can result in underpayment, payroll disputes, or even compliance risks during audits.

Leave Planning and Approval Management

Johor school holidays often trigger a surge in leave applications, particularly from employees with school-going children. Without proper planning, HR teams may struggle to balance business needs with employee requests.

Understanding both public and school holidays helps HR set clearer expectations, manage peak leave periods, and maintain fairness in approvals.

Business Planning During Festive Seasons

Major festive periods such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, and Deepavali often overlap with public holidays and extended school breaks.

For many businesses in Johor, these periods affect customer demand, logistics timelines, and supplier availability. HR plays a key role in aligning manpower planning with business operations during these high-impact periods.

Employee Well-being and Engagement

When employers plan holidays transparently and early, employees feel more supported and respected. Clear holiday communication reduces stress, helps employees plan family commitments, and boosts morale, especially in a state like Johor, where cross-border travel and family commitments are common.

Planning Tips for Employers & HR in Johor

To stay organised in 2026, employers should:

Communicate Holiday Calendars Early

Share the full Johor public holiday calendar and school holiday periods with employees at the start of the year through internal emails, HR portals, or notice boards.

Early communication reduces repeated leave queries and sets clear expectations across the organisation.

Align Company Leave Policies with Public Holidays

Review annual leave, replacement leave, and public holiday policies to ensure they clearly reflect Johor-specific holidays. Make sure employees understand:

• Which holidays are recognised by the company

• Whether replacement leave applies when holidays fall on weekends

• How public holidays are compensated

Plan Payroll Cut-off Dates Carefully

Long holiday periods can delay timesheet submissions, approvals, and payroll processing. HR and payroll teams should:

• Set earlier payroll cut-off dates around major holidays

• Remind managers to approve attendance and OT records in advance

• Prepare contingency plans if payroll processing falls near extended breaks

Anticipate Peak Leave Periods During School Holidays

For Johor employers, school holidays are often just as impactful as public holidays. Ensure to:

• Monitor leave trends from previous years

• Encourage early leave applications during peak school holiday periods

• Use staggered leave approvals to maintain adequate staffing

Prepare Manpower Planning for Festive Seasons

During major festive periods, work closely with department heads to:

• Identify critical roles that require coverage

• Arrange shift rotations or temporary staffing if needed

• Consider flexible arrangements such as work-from-home or adjusted hours (where suitable)

Coordinate Across Departments and Locations

For companies with operations outside Johor, HR should ensure state-level holiday differences are clearly communicated.

A centralised holiday tracker can help prevent confusion between Johor and non-Johor teams, especially for shared services like payroll or customer support.

Keep Documentation and Records Updated

Always document holiday-related decisions, including replacement leave arrangements and public holiday work approvals.

Proper records protect the company during audits and ensure consistent treatment of employees across the organisation.

Sources & References

• Official Johor State Government website

• Ministry of Education (KPM) school calendar

• Federal public holiday announcements

FAQs

What are the public holidays in Johor for 2026?

Johor observes both federal and state public holidays, including Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Sultan of Johor’s Birthday, and National Day.

Are Johor public holidays different from other states?

Yes. Johor has state-specific holidays that do not apply nationwide.

Is Chinese New Year a public holiday in Johor?

Yes. Both Day 1 and Day 2 of Chinese New Year are public holidays in Johor.

Does Johor observe replacement holidays if a holiday falls on Sunday?

It depends on government announcements and company policy.

When are school holidays in Johor for 2026?

Johor follows the Group B school calendar, with school starting on 12 January 2026 and year-end holidays beginning on 5 December 2026.

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