Public Holiday 2026 Kuala Lumpur: Key Dates and HR Planning Guide

Every public holiday impacts how your business runs, from managing payroll, ensuring compliance or keeping employees happy.

As 2026 approaches, employers in Kuala Lumpur should start preparing for the year’s public holidays now. Below, we’ve outlined the main dates and HR considerations to help you plan ahead effectively.

What Are the Public Holidays in Kuala Lumpur for 2026?

Public holidays are days officially declared by the government when employees are entitled to time off with pay. The public holidays directly affect payroll, leave planning, and staffing.

In Kuala Lumpur, public holidays include both nationwide celebrations and state-level observances.

For 2026, the Department of Labour has confirmed the following key dates. Employers should integrate these dates into HR systems early to avoid payroll and scheduling issues.

Why Public Holidays Matter for Employers

Public holidays play a bigger role in workforce management than most business leaders realise. They affect:

Payroll and Compliance

Employers are legally required to pay public holiday entitlements. Missteps here may cause disputes or non-compliance with the Employment Act 1955.

Workforce Planning

Holidays often fall close to weekends, creating long breaks. HR teams need to prepare for higher leave requests and possible shortages.

Employee Morale

Recognising holidays shows respect for cultural and religious diversity. In the long run, it can build trust and loyalty across the workforce.

Operational Continuity

Some industries, like retail or F&B, must stay open during holidays. It requires planning for shifts, overtime, and replacement leave.

Key Public Holidays in Kuala Lumpur (2026)

Date	Day	Holiday Name	Scope
January 1	Thursday	New Year’s Day	Nationwide
February 1-2	Sunday- Monday	Federal Territory Day	Kuala Lumpur only
February 1-2	Sunday- Monday	Thaipusam	Kuala Lumpur only
February 17-18	Tue-Wed	Chinese New Year	Nationwide
March 21-23	Sat-Mon	Hari Raya Aidilfitri	Nationwide
May 1	Friday	Labour Day	Nationwide
May 27-28	Wed-Thu	Hari Raya Haji	Nationwide
May 31	Sunday	Wesak Day	Nationwide
June 1	Monday	Agong’s Birthday	Nationwide
June 17	Wednesday	Awal Muharram	Nationwide
March 31	Monday	Nuzul Al-Quran	Kuala Lumpur only
August 25	Tuesday	Maulidur Rasul	Nationwide
August 31	Monday	Merdeka Day	Nationwide
September 16	Wednesday	Malaysia Day	Nationwide
November 8-9	Sun-Mon	Deepavali	Nationwide
December 2025	Friday	Christmas	Nationwide

How Employers Should Manage Public Holidays

To avoid last-minute disruptions, HR and employers should:

Update Company Calendars Early

Reflect official public holidays in HR and payroll systems at the start of the year.

Plan Staffing

Decide if essential teams need to work on holidays and clarify compensation through overtime pay or time off in lieu.

Communicate Clearly

Share holiday schedules and pay rules with employees in advance.

Leave Management

Review leave applications around long weekends and festive periods to prevent shortages in key roles.

Tips for HR Teams

You can take extra steps to manage public holidays more effectively:

Include the 2026 holiday list in orientation packs so employees know their entitlements.
Allocate buffer in payroll for public holiday pay and possible overtime costs when staff are required to work.
Track any new announcement or replacement holidays from the government throughout the year.
Use long weekends for company bonding activities or recognition programmes to boost morale.

FAQs

How many public holidays are employers required to observe in Malaysia?

The Employment Act 1955 requires employers to observe at least 11 paid public holidays each year, five of which are compulsory (National Day, Agong’s Birthday, Labour Day, Malaysia Day, and the Birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Negeri or Federal Territory Day for KL).

Can employers substitute a public holiday for another day?

Yes. Employers may substitute holidays, but they must give prior notice to employees and comply with the Employment Act.

Are employees entitled to pay if a public holiday falls during their annual leave?

Yes. Public holidays are not counted as annual leave days, and employees must still receive their public holiday entitlement.

How do employers handle public holidays for part-time employees?

Part-time employees are also entitled to paid public holidays if they fall on their scheduled working days, calculated on a pro-rata basis.

What happens if a public holiday falls on a rest day?

The following working day will automatically be treated as a paid public holiday.

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