The Malaysian 2022 Public Holiday Guide
Apart from being a melting pot of cultures, or a world-renowned food haven, Malaysia adds having the seventh-highest number of public holidays in the world to its roster of impressive titles.
Nevertheless, as we approach the end of 2021 — Malaysia continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and some form of normalcy has been restored in our lives. With the reopening of interstate borders and the allowance of recreational activities, things seem to be looking up in 2022.
Consequently, many Malaysians will be keen to make full use of these holidays following a long year of staying indoors. This would often entail planning one’s annual leave ahead of time — which also helps maintain effective operations of a business. So, here’s a calendar of federal public holidays, along with which dates to apply for leave in an attempt to maximize your break!
Malaysia Public Holiday Dates 2022
Chinese New Year 1 Feb – 2 Feb | TUESDAY – WEDNESDAY
Hari Raya Aidilfitri 3 May – 4 May | TUESDAY – WEDNESDAY
Yang Dipertuan Agong’s Birthday 6 Jun | MONDAY
National Day (Merdeka) 31 Aug | WEDNESDAY
Malaysia Day 16 Sept | FRIDAY
Deepavali 24 Oct | MONDAY
Turn a Holiday into a Vacation
Most of us don’t plan out holidays ahead, but all savvy employees know that maximising downtime can lead to extended vacations and much-needed breaks. Undeniably, planning your travels and annual leave ahead has proven beneficial.
You might ask, “Why plan ahead?”. Well, planning ahead allows you to make the most of public holidays and even save you some money. By planning your break ahead, it allows you to pick appropriate dates, do research, and scout for the best deals online.
Additionally, it also allows employees to utilize their annual leave entitlements to extend long weekends and public holidays. Planning ahead does not benefit the employee alone but the employer too. Employers will then be able to manage or minimise any potential disruptions to their business and your holiday. In short, plan ahead to guarantee an awesome holiday!
Make Leave-Planning and Tracking a Breeze
It goes without saying that work-life balance is imperative for consistent productivity. However, approving and tracking leave allowances for employees has proven to be a hassle for many HR personnel, especially with Malaysia’s many public holidays. Why not opt for a hassle-free solution to all your leave-planning and tracking woes? JustLeave does just that.
JustLeave is a mobile-centric leave software which makes leave management accessible at all times. With its user-friendly interface, it allows both employees and HR personnel to efficiently navigate leave-planning and tracking. With our mobile app, you could have your leave registered and approved within a few minutes. Your 2022 vacations made easy with JustLeave.
Employee’s Entitlement to Holidays
It is important for employees to become conversant with their entitlement to holidays. In Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, Section 60D of the Holidays Act entitles all staff to 11 paid, gazetted public holidays. Your employer may elect 6 days in addition to the 5 fixed ones — Independence Day, Agong’s Birthday, Federal Territory Day, Labour Day, and Malaysia Day — and all additional declared public holidays are paid.
You’re entitled to a replacement day-off or increased wages if required to work on a holiday. Hence, it is essential for employees to make the most of their annual leave entitlements. While work is important, it is also important for employees to unwind whenever possible. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or to spend time with family, some downtime is always necessary!