Malaysians can expect a rare four-day break as overlapping holidays and school leave align at end-May.
MALAYSIANS are set to enjoy a four-day long weekend at the end of May following the overlap of two public holidays occurring back-to-back.
Wesak Day falls on Sunday, May 31, while the official birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will be observed on Monday, June 1.
The Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) said in a Facebook post last week that since Wesak Day falls on a Sunday, which is already a weekly rest day for many employees, Tuesday, June 2, will be observed as a replacement public holiday.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday on Monday, June 1, is a compulsory public holiday for private sector employees and cannot be substituted,” the ministry said.
Kesuma also reminded employers that employees required to work on public holidays are entitled to additional pay in accordance with the Employment Act 1955.
The ministry urged both employers and workers to understand their respective rights and obligations under the law.
The long weekend also coincides with the mid-year school holidays for the 2026 academic session, which runs from May 23 to June 7.
However, Kesuma noted that the replacement holiday on June 2 may be moved to another date if both employers and employees agree beforehand.
The ministry further stressed that employees earning RM4,000 and below, as well as those covered under the First Schedule of the Employment Act 1955, must receive the prescribed public holiday rates if asked to work.
It added that compliance with these regulations is mandatory and warned that employers who fail to follow the law may face enforcement action.
