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THE Federal Government has gazetted Thaipusam Day and Federal Territories Day as public holidays for 2026, which fall on 1 February each.
Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department’s communications unit has announced that the Federal Territory Day holiday is a compulsory holiday that must be provided by private sector employers in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.
It cannot be replaced in accordance with the provisions of section 60D(1)(a)(iii) of the Employment Act 1955 [Act 265].
"Given that the Federal Territory Day holiday in 2026 falls on a Sunday, employers who designate Sunday as a weekly rest day must provide a substitute holiday on the next working day, which is Monday.
"Meanwhile, employers who choose Thaipusam Day as part of the remaining six optional public holidays under Subsection 60D(1)(a) of Act 265 must provide a substitute holiday on the next working day, which is Tuesday, due to the overlap of the two public holidays," the statement said.
In the meantime, employers may also grant any other day as a paid holiday in lieu, subject to the employee's consent, in accordance with Subsection 60D(1A) of the same act.
"Employees who are ordered to work on a public holiday are entitled to receive the rate of pay for public holidays as prescribed in Section 60D(3)," the statement said. – December 31, 2025
