2026 public holidays in Malaysia: Mark these dates on your calendar

Date: 06 January 2026 | Author: Sarah Gideon

Summary

Human Resources Online lists Malaysia’s 2026 public holidays, highlighting 13 nationwide federal public holidays and additional state-specific days. Many holidays fall close to weekends across most states and federal territories, creating more opportunities for extended breaks and smarter leave planning. The article links to the official cabinet schedule (HKA 2026) and notes that some dates may differ by state or be subject to change.

Key Points

There are 13 nationwide (federal) public holidays in Malaysia for 2026 to note on your calendar.
Major multi-day or moveable holidays include Chinese New Year (17–18 Feb), Hari Raya Puasa (21–22 Mar), Eid al-Adha (27–28 May) and Deepavali (8 Nov).
Several federal holidays fall adjacent to weekends or on weekdays that create chances for longer weekends and easier leave planning.
States and federal territories have additional public holidays — examples: Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day in W.P. Kuala Lumpur (1 Feb), Kaamatan in Sabah/Labuan (30–31 May), and Gawai in Sarawak (1–2 June).
Some holidays apply to specific states only or have one-day/second-day variations (e.g. Kelantan and Terengganu have differences for certain days).
Dates are based on the official HKA 2026 schedule and are subject to change; employers should check official sources when planning.

Context and relevance

This is practical information for HR teams, payroll administrators, managers and employees across Malaysia. Knowing the federal and state-level holiday calendar helps with rostering, leave approvals, operational planning and compliance (for example, when a public holiday falls on a rest or non-working day). The article is aligned with common HR tasks: maximising staff morale with planned breaks, avoiding staffing gaps and ensuring correct entitlements.

Why should I read this?

Want to nab long weekends and plan leave without the guesswork? This rundown saves you time — quick, clear and ready to plug into your team calendar so you can sort leave, rosters and payroll before anyone asks.