Malaysia public holidays 2025

Whether you're planning a family vacation or just looking forward to some downtime, knowing Malaysia's public holidays and school breaks for 2025 helps you make the most of your time off.

Malaysia’s public holiday calendar includes key federal and national observances set by the Malaysian government. This diverse schedule features major holidays like Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali, and Merdeka Day, reflecting both federal and regional traditions across the country.

• Malaysian Public Holidays in 2025
• Types of Public Holidays in Malaysia
• School Holidays in Malaysia 2025
• Know your rights, take your leaves
• FAQ

Malaysian Public Holidays in 2025

We’ve created a clear guide to Malaysia’s public holidays for 2025. Official dates may change, so please check back frequently for updates.

Source: Jabatan Perdana Menteri.

Types of Public Holidays in Malaysia

In Malaysia, public holidays are categorized into federal and state holidays, each governed by specific legislation. These holidays encompass a mix of national celebrations and regional observances, reflecting Malaysia's diverse cultural and historical landscape.

Federal/National Holidays

The federal government sets federal holidays in Malaysia and include significant national events such as Muhammad's Birthday, Hari Merdeka (Independence Day), and Hari Raya Puasa (Aidilfitri).

These holidays are recognized across the entire country, although the exact observance may vary slightly in different states. They celebrate key milestones and figures in Malaysian history and culture, ensuring nationwide recognition and participation.

State Holidays

In addition to federal holidays, each state and federal territory in Malaysia has its own set of state holidays. These include regional celebrations and the official birthdays of state rulers or governors. For instance, New Year's Day and Thaipusam are widely celebrated, while unique state-specific holidays reflect local traditions.

Federal territories, like Kuala Lumpur, observe Federal Territory Day instead of a state ruler’s birthday. The Holidays Act 1951 and the Employment Act 1955 govern these holidays, allowing for additional or substitute holidays to be declared as needed.

Holidays by Declaration

Section 8 of the Holidays Act 1951 empowers the Prime Minister to declare a public holiday nationwide or in specific regions, such as Peninsular Malaysia, Labuan, or particular states and federal territories.

They often occur for significant events like general elections or the installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Additionally, these holidays must be observed by all employers as paid leave.

At the state level, occasional holidays, or "cuti peristiwa," may be declared for events like the installation of a state ruler or notable achievements, though private sector compliance is voluntary while government offices and schools typically close.

In Sabah and Sarawak, the state governor holds the authority to declare public holidays under the respective Holidays Ordinances. These declarations can sometimes be made at short notice, adding flexibility but also requiring prompt administrative adjustments.

Religious and Ethnic Holidays

Malaysia's rich tapestry of religious and ethnic diversity is reflected in its public holiday calendar, with significant observances for various communities. Muslim holidays such as Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr) and Hari Raya Aidiladha (Eid al-Adha) are major celebrations, marking the end of Ramadan and the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage, respectively.

The Chinese community celebrates Chinese New Year, a vibrant 15-day festival, along with other traditional festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Hindus observe Deepavali, the festival of lights, and Thaipusam, a notable pilgrimage event at Batu Caves.

Buddhists celebrate Wesak Day, commemorating Buddha's birth, while Christians mark Christmas and Easter, with Good Friday recognised as a public holiday in Sabah and Sarawak. Additionally, East Malaysians observe local harvest festivals such as Gawai and Kaamatan.

School Holidays in Malaysia 2024/2025

Aside from public holidays observed in the workplace, students also benefit from Malaysia's structured school holidays, which provide breaks aligned with both academic schedules and major cultural celebrations.

The Malaysian school holidays for the 2024/2025 academic year are divided into two main groups, Kumpulan A and Kumpulan B. Both groups feature similar holiday breaks but vary slightly in dates, accommodating local weekend practices and public holidays.

Kumpulan A includes Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, where the academic year begins on March 10, 2024. On the other hand, Kumpulan B encompasses the rest of the states and federal territories, with the school year starting on March 11, 2024.

Kumpulan A (Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu)

For schools in Kumpulan A states, the 2024/2025 academic year starts on March 10, 2024. The term breaks are as follows:

• Term 1 Holidays from May 24 to June 2, 2024.
• Term 2 Holidays from September 13 to September 21, 2024.
• Term 3 Holidays from December 20 to December 28, 2024.
• End of School Year Holidays from January 17 to February 15, 2025.

Kumpulan B

In Kumpulan B states, the school year commences on March 11, 2024. This group has similar holiday periods with slight variations:

• Term 1 Holidays from May 25 to June 2, 2024.
• Term 2 Holidays from September 14 to September 22, 2024.
• Term 3 Holidays from December 21 to December 29, 2024.
• End of School Year Holidays from January 18 to February 16, 2025.

Additional School Holidays

Besides the standard term breaks, additional holidays are observed to coincide with major festivals.

• Kumpulan A: Hari Raya Aidilfitri runs from April 7 to April 11, 2024, while Deepavali is observed on October 30, 2024.
• Kumpulan B: Hari Raya Aidilfitri extends from April 8 to April 12, 2024, and Deepavali spans October 30 to November 1, 2024.

Know your rights, take your leaves!

Public holidays aren’t just a chance to take a break—they're an important part of your overall well-being. Whether you're planning a trip, spending quality time with family, or simply catching up on rest, it's crucial to know and exercise your right to these days off.

So, as you plan your year, don’t just see these holidays as mere dates on the calendar—consider them essential moments for yourself. Embrace the time off, come back to work recharged, and ready to tackle new challenges.

FAQ

1. What are the most prominent public holidays in Malaysia?
   Federal ones like National Day, Labour Day, Malaysia Day. There’s also religious & ethnic holidays like CNY, Diwali, Eid al-Fitr.
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2. How many public holidays are workers entitle to in Malaysia each year?
   According to Malaysian Labour Law, workers in Malaysia are entitled to a minimum of 11 public holidays annually. According to Section 60D(1) of Act 265, employers must observe five compulsory public holidays:- National Day- The birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong- The birthday of the Ruler/Yang di-Pertua Negeri or Federal Territory Day- Labour Day- Malaysia DayEmployers may then choose an additional six holidays from the gazetted public holidays for the remaining paid leave days.
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3. What should an employee do if they work on a public holiday?If an employee works on a public holiday, they are entitled to additional compensation. Under Section 60D(1) and Section 60D(3)(a) of Act 265, the employer must pay the employee an additional wage of three times the hourly rate of pay for overtime work on public holidays. Additionally, if the public holiday falls on a rest day, the next working day will be observed as a public holiday in lieu.
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4. What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?If a public holiday falls on a weekend (a weekly holiday), the day following the weekend becomes a public holiday in lieu, as per Section 3 of the Holidays Act 1951. If this day is already a public holiday, then the subsequent day will be observed as a public holiday.