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PRIVATE sector employers in Peninsular Malaysia must observe the Birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on June 1 as a compulsory paid public holiday that cannot be substituted, the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department has clarified.
The department said the Federal Government has gazetted two public holidays for the period, namely Wesak Day on Sunday, May 31, and the King’s Birthday on Monday, June 1.
It stressed that under the Employment Act 1955, the King’s official birthday is among five mandatory paid public holidays that employers must grant to workers in the private sector.
“Under subparagraph 60D(1)(a)(ii) of the Employment Act 1955, the Birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is one of five compulsory paid public holidays that must be granted by private sector employers and cannot be replaced with another day,” it said in a statement.
The department explained that Wesak Day falls under the category of optional public holidays, which employers may select to fulfil the requirement of six additional paid public holidays under Section 60D(1)(a).
It further clarified that when a public holiday falls on a weekly rest day, the following working day must be treated as a replacement holiday under Section 60D(1)(b).
“As such, for employers who observe Sunday as the weekly rest day and choose Wesak Day as a paid public holiday, June 1 must be observed as a paid public holiday for the King’s Birthday, and cannot be substituted.
“Tuesday, June 2, shall then be granted as a replacement paid public holiday for Wesak Day, which falls on a Sunday,” it added.
The department noted that such replacement arrangements may be altered if both employer and employee mutually agree, as provided under subsection 60D(1A).
It also reminded employers that employees earning RM4,000 and below, as well as those covered under the First Schedule of the Employment Act 1955, who are required to work on public holidays are entitled to statutory public holiday pay rates under subsection 60D(3). - May 5, 2026
