Malaysia Public Holidays 2026 for All States: HR & Employer Guide

Planning employee leave and manpower becomes much easier when you know Malaysia’s public holidays early.

This guide provides a complete list of Malaysia public holidays for 2026, organised month by month and by state, to help HR teams and employers plan ahead with confidence. Since public holidays in Malaysia vary between federal and state levels, early planning is especially important for businesses with multi-state operations, frontline staff, shift work, or customer-facing teams.

By using this calendar, HR and employers can:

• Plan employee leave more effectively

• Prepare manpower coverage during peak festive periods

• Manage payroll, replacement leave, and overtime (OT) correctly

• Avoid last-minute staffing shortages and operational disruptions

Use this guide as a practical reference when preparing your 2026 leave calendar, workforce planning, and HR operations.

January 2026

February 2026

March 2026

April 2026

May 2026

June 2026

July 2026

August 2026

September 2026

October 2026

November 2026

December 2026

HR Planning Tips for 2026

Share the Holiday Calendar Early

Publish the full 2026 public holiday calendar early so employees can plan their leave in advance. This helps reduce last-minute requests and avoids leave clashes during busy periods.

Identify Peak Leave Periods

Festive seasons such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, and year-end holidays often see higher leave requests. Flag these periods early and plan manpower coverage ahead of time.

Manage Leave in a Balanced Way

Avoid approving leave for too many employees at the same time, especially for frontline and operational teams. A staggered approach helps maintain daily operations while still allowing staff to take time off.

Follow State-Based Holiday Rules

Public holidays differ by state. Leave entitlement, replacement leave, overtime, and payroll should always follow the employee’s work location to ensure compliance and fairness.

FAQs

Are public holidays the same for all states?

No. Some holidays apply nationwide, others depend on the state.

If a public holiday falls on Sunday, what happens?

Most states give a replacement holiday on Monday.

If employees work on a public holiday, what must employers do?

Employers must give extra pay, replacement leave, or both based on the law.

How many public holidays must employers give?

At least 11 paid public holidays per year for employees under the Employment Act.

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