Planning Ahead for Malaysia’s 2025 Public Holidays
It’s a Thursday afternoon in March. You check your calendar and notice tomorrow’s a public holiday. You have no meetings or pressing deadlines — then an idea strikes you:
“What if I take Monday off too?”
Just like that, you’ve created a 4-day weekend.
Public holidays in Malaysia offer more than just time off — they give chances to relax, hang out with family, and visit new places. For HR teams, they also mean dealing with many leave requests, scheduling shifts, and keeping things running .
This guide provides you with the full list of Malaysia’s public holidays for 2025, along with useful advice for both employees and employers to get the most out of every extended weekend.
Malaysia Public Holiday Calendar 2025 (Federal & Main State Holidays)
Malaysia celebrates a diverse blend of federal and state holidays that showcase its multicultural character.
Here’s the confirmed list of national public holidays for 2025:
*Islamic holidays depend on moon sighting and might shift.
The Long Weekend Cheat Sheet (2025 Edition)
Here’s how you can change your days off into short getaways with some forethought:
|
Holiday |
Dates |
Leave Tip |
Days Off |
|
Chinese New Year |
Feb 10–11 (Mon–Tue) |
Take Feb 12 (Wed) off |
5 days |
|
Hari Raya Aidilfitri |
Mar 31–Apr 1 (Mon–Tue) |
Take Apr 2–4 off |
9 days |
|
Labour Day |
May 1 (Thu) |
Take May 2 off |
4 days |
|
Agong’s Birthday |
Jun 7–9 (Sat–Mon) |
Automatically long weekend |
3 days |
|
Awal Muharram |
Jul 6–7 (Sun–Mon) |
Naturally extended |
2 days |
|
National Day + Malaysia Day combo |
Aug 31–Sep 1 & Sep 16 |
Plan leave in between |
4–5 days |
Helpful Hint: Book your time off early — prices for trips and hotels go up around public holidays.
For Employers: The Importance of Public Holidays in HR Planning
Public holidays don’t just affect time-off schedules — they have an impact on workforce planning, payroll, and compliance.
HR professionals should:
- Keep tabs on state-specific holidays to calculate attendance and overtime .
- Deal with many leave requests at once.
- Make sure holiday pay follows Malaysia’s Employment Act 1955 (Section 60D).
If you’re still approving leave using Excel or WhatsApp, it’s time to update your methods.
Read Next: Why Every Company Should Use E-Leave — discover how automation makes holiday management a breeze.
For Employees: How to Plan Your Leave Like a Pro
1. Mark Your Calendar Early
Put 2025’s long weekends on your calendar now — this helps you plan vacations and get better rates.
2. Coordinate With Colleagues
During busy times like Chinese New Year or Hari Raya, work together to ensure key teams have coverage.
3. Use Half-Day Leaves
Taking just half a day off (before or after a public holiday) can often stretch your break efficiently.
4. Avoid Leave Clashes
Look at your company’s e-leave system to see who’s away before you put in your request — you’ll have fewer clashes and less worry.
Fun Fact: Malaysia Has One of the Most Public Holidays in the World!
With at least 18 national and regional holidays, Malaysia stands out as one of the top countries worldwide for public holidays.
Each state adds its own local celebrations, like:
- Kuala Lumpur & Putrajaya – Federal Territory Day (Feb 1)
- Penang – George Town World Heritage Day (Jul 7)
- Sabah & Sarawak – Extra religious and cultural holidays
When you have employees in multiple states, adjust your leave policies and holiday schedules for each area to comply with local laws.
Advice for HR: Try Software to Handle State Holidays
Keeping track of holidays in every state by hand can wear you out — and lead to payroll mistakes.
This is where Info-Tech’s Leave Management Software comes in handy. It:
- Updates federal and state public holidays on its own
- Keeps leave balances and carry-forwards in sync
- Tells managers when leave requests overlap
- Works with payroll to figure out holiday pay
Schedule a Free Demo to see how you can make HR tasks easier and follow the rules all year.
To Sum Up
Public holidays in Malaysia offer more than just time off — they give people a chance to rest think and strike a better balance between work and life.
Employees who plan well can make their time off more meaningful. Employers can keep things running and keep their teams happy.
With tools like Info-Tech’s HRMS, you can handle leave approvals public holidays, and payroll without hassle — making sure everyone enjoys their break while the company stays productive.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many public holidays does Malaysia have in 2025?
Malaysia celebrates 18 federal holidays, with extra state-specific holidays varying by region.
Are employers required to observe public holidays?
Yes, the Employment Act 1955 mandates employers to give 11 paid public holidays yearly (5 of which are mandatory).
Are public holidays the same in all Malaysian states?
No. States such as Penang, Sabah, and Sarawak mark additional local holidays that aren’t on the federal list.
How can I plan long weekends in 2025?
Mix leave days with holidays such as Chinese New Year or Hari Raya Aidilfitri to create 4–9 day breaks.
How can HR software help manage public holidays?
HRMS tools like Info-Tech’s Leave Management Software have an impact on holiday management. They update state holidays , keep track of leave, and stop overlapping requests.