NOTICE ON DECLARATION OF ADDITIONAL PUBLIC HOLIDAY FOR HARI RAYA PUASA 2026

We are pleased to inform that the Prime Minister of Malaysia has announced an additional public holiday in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2026. This was confirmed through a media statement issued by the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) on 15 March 2026. The declaration aims to facilitate travel during the festive period.

1. Two possible date scenarios for Hari Raya have been outlined:
2. If the first day of Hari Raya Puasa (HRP 1) falls on Friday, 20^th March 2026 and the second day (HRP 2) is on Saturday, 21^st March 2026: the additional holiday will be on Monday, 23^rd March 2026

               or

1. If the first day of Hari Raya Puasa (HRP 1) falls on Saturday, 21 March 2026 and the second day (HRP 2) is on Sunday, 22^nd March 2026, the additional holiday will be on Friday, 20^th March 2026

The additional public holiday is declared under Section 8 of the Holidays Act 1951 and shall be observed as a paid public holiday.

2. The above scenarios with present implications that should be noted:
3. Peninsular Malaysia & Labuan

• Employers must observe the additional declared public holiday, Friday, 20th March 2026 (or, as the case may be, Monday, 23rd March 2026) as public holidays
• Substitution applies if the day falls on a rest day.

1. Johor

• In addition to the Section 8 holiday, Johor is required to observe:
  • Hari Keputeraan Sultan Johor on Monday, 23^rd March 2026.

This marked public holiday must be observed as a paid public holiday in Johor. Because of this overlap, Johor companies may also have a substitution holiday on 24 March 2026.

• Multiple scenarios are to be outlined depending on rest day arrangements.

1. Melaka

• The public holiday declared under Section 8 applies to companies operating in Melaka.
• Depending on the actual Hari Raya date and company rest day arrangements, Melaka companies may need to observe substitution holidays on 23rd March 2026 and/or 24th March 2026.

1. Kelantan

• The Menteri Besar of Kelantan has declared Thursday, 19th March 2026 as a public holiday for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
• Legal Basis
• This holiday is declared under Section 9(1) of the Holidays Act 1951, not under Section 8.
• Therefore, it is not automatically covered by Section 60D(1)(b) of the Employment Act 1955.
• Companies are not legally required to observe it unless their policies specify otherwise.
• Company Obligations
• Companies in Kelantan with Collective Agreements or employment terms that provide for paid holidays on all gazetted Federal/State holidays must observe 19th March 2026 as a paid holiday.
• Substitution Rule
• If the holiday falls on a rest day or coincides with another public holiday, the next working day will be treated as a paid substitution holiday, in line with Section 60D(1).

1. Sabah & Sarawak

• As of the date of this circular, no additional state government’s announcements have been made.
• If later declared, the provisions under Section 103(1)(b) of the Sabah Labour Ordinance or Section 104(1)(b) of the Sarawak Labour Ordinance will apply.

3. Employee Entitlements on Public Holidays

Eligible employees under the First Schedule of the Employment Act 1955 who are required to work on recognized public holidays must be paid public holiday rates in accordance with Section 60D(3). Member companies that observe any of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri public holidays may, with employee agreement, substitute another day as a paid public holiday under Section 60D(1A), which permits substitution of gazetted holidays by mutual consent.

Enclosed is a copy of the media statement dated 15 March, 2026 issued by Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) for your information.

We trust the above clarifications will assist members in observing the upcoming public holidays in compliance with statutory requirements.

Download Circular click here

Download Media Statement click here