The Federal Government has officially gazetted Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day as public holidays for 2026, both of which will fall on Feb 1.
In a statement, the Department of Labour of Peninsular Malaysia said Federal Territory Day is a mandatory public holiday for private sector employees working in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, and cannot be substituted, in accordance with Section 60D(1)(a)(iii) of the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265).
The department explained that as Federal Territory Day in 2026 coincides with a Sunday, employers who designate Sunday as the weekly rest day are required to provide a replacement holiday on the following working day, Monday.
Meanwhile, employers who have selected Thaipusam as part of the remaining six optional public holidays under Section 60D(1)(a) of Act 265 must grant a replacement holiday on the next working day, Tuesday, due to the overlap of the two public holidays.
The statement also noted that employers may, subject to employees’ consent, grant another day as a paid public holiday replacement, as provided under Section 60D(1A) of the same Act.
Employees who are required to work on a public holiday are entitled to public holiday pay at the rate stipulated under Section 60D(3) of the Employment Act, the department added.
-HR HUB
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