Strategic leave planning is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and 2025 is brimming with opportunities for Malaysians to enjoy well-deserved breaks. With 12 public holidays and 8 long weekends on the calendar, it's the perfect year to stretch your annual leave for maximum impact. However, balancing your time off alongside work responsibilities and personal commitments can be challenging. Here's a smart guide to help you plan effectively and make the most of your leave days.
Overview of Public Holidays in Malaysia for 2025
Here’s the list of public holidays in Malaysia for 2025:
New Year's Day: Wednesday, 1 January
Chinese New Year: Wednesday, 29 January & Thursday, 30 January
Federal Territory Day: Saturday, 1 February (Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Putrajaya)
Hari Raya Aidilfitri: Monday, 31 March & Tuesday, 1 April
Labour Day: Thursday, 1 May
Wesak Day: Monday, 12 May
Hari Raya Haji: Saturday, 7 June
Merdeka Day: Sunday, 31 August
Malaysia Day: Tuesday, 16 September
Deepavali: Monday, 20 October
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Maulidur Rasul): Saturday, 6 December
Christmas Day: Thursday, 25 December
Highlights:
8 long weekends (New Year, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Labour Day, Vesak Day, Malaysia Day, Deepavali and Christmas Day).
Multiple chances to bridge public holidays with annual leave, creating long, restful breaks.
Examples of Optimised Leave Plans for 2025
Let’s look at some practical leave-planning scenarios for 2025:
1. Start the Year Right: New Year’s Day (5 Days Off)
Public Holiday: New Year’s Day (1 January, Wednesday)
Leave Days Taken: 2 days (2-3 January, Thursday and Friday)
Vacation Period: 1 January (Wednesday) to 5 January (Sunday)
Kick off 2025 with a refreshing break by taking just two leave days after New Year’s Day to enjoy a 5-day holiday.
2. Celebrate in Style: Chinese New Year (5 Days Off)
Public Holidays: 29 January (Wednesday) & 30 January (Thursday)
Leave Day Taken: 1 day (31 January, Friday)
Vacation Period: 29 January (Wednesday) to 2 February (Sunday)
Celebrate the festivities with a 5-day holiday by taking just one leave day after Chinese New Year. Perfect for a family gathering or a short getaway.
3. March Long Weekend: Hari Raya Aidilfitri (4 Days Off)
Public Holiday: 31 March (Monday) & 1st April (Tuesday)
Vacation Period: 29 March (Saturday) to 1st April (Tuesday)
Enjoy a relaxing 4-day weekend as Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls on a Monday and Tuesday. No leave required for this long weekend!
4. Labour Day Break: (4 Days Off)
Public Holiday: 1 May (Thursday) Leave Day Taken: 1 day (2 May, Friday) Vacation Period: 1 May (Thursday) to 4 May (Sunday)
Extend your Labour Day celebrations into a 4-day holiday by taking just one leave day.
5. Mid-May Retreat: Vesak Day (3 Days Off)
Public Holiday: 12 May (Monday)
Vacation Period: 10 May (Saturday) to 12 May (Monday)
Another chance to enjoy a long weekend without using any leave.
6. September Hangout: Malaysia Day (3 Days Off)
Public Holiday: 16 September (Tuesday)
Vacation Period: 13 September (Saturday) to 16 September (Tuesday)
Celebrate the festivities with a 4-day holiday by taking just one leave day on Monday after Weekends. Perfect for a family gathering or a short getaway.
7. October Rejuvenation: Deepavali (3 Days Off)
Public Holiday: 20 October (Monday)
Vacation Period: 18 October (Saturday) to 20 October (Monday)
Celebrate Deepavali with a well-deserved 3-day weekend.
8. Festive Finale: Christmas (4 Days Off)
Public Holiday: 25 December (Thursday)
Leave Day Taken: 1 day (26 December, Friday)
Vacation Period: 25 December (Thursday) to 28 December (Sunday)
Wrap up the year with a festive 4-day holiday by taking just one leave day after Christmas.
Bonus: Customising Your Leave for Personal Goals
Combine Annual Leave and Work-from-Home Days: If your employer offers hybrid working, use it to your advantage by planning remote work before or after your leave.
Unpaid Leave Options: If your annual leave is running low, consider applying for unpaid leave to extend your time off during significant events.
Weekend Additions: Remember to factor weekends into your leave planning for maximum efficiency.
Tips for Discussing Leave with Employers
Plan Early: The earlier you request leave, the better. Early planning gives you a higher chance of securing your preferred dates, especially during busy periods like holidays.
Communicate Clearly: When submitting your leave request, clearly outline the dates you’ll be away and explain how your work will be managed during your absence. Reassure your employer that you’ve planned well to ensure minimal disruption.
Be Flexible: If you're requesting extended leave, be prepared to adjust or compromise. You might need to reschedule to a quieter period, work remotely part-time, or even take on extra work before or after your break to balance the workload.
Tools and Resources to Help Plan Leave
JustLogin Leave Management Feature
With JustLogin’s Leave Management feature, planning your leave is seamless. You can sync public holidays, plan bridging days, and track your leave requests—all in one place. Plus, the tool offers real-time tracking of leave balances, automatic approval workflows, and reminders, ensuring you avoid scheduling conflicts and can plan your holidays well in advance.
Digital Calendars and Apps
Using digital tools like Google Calendar or specialised leave apps makes planning leave a breeze. You can colour-code public holidays, weekends, and your leave days to get a clear visual of when you're off. Some apps even suggest optimal leave combinations, so you never miss out on a potential extended break.
How JustLogin Helps You Plan Smarter
Planning leave isn’t just about securing your time off—it’s about collaboration and avoiding workplace conflicts. Here’s how JustLogin’s Leave Management feature makes it easier:
Team Visibility: Check who else is on leave during your preferred dates to avoid overlap and ensure smooth office operations.
Leave Tracking: Stay informed about your leave balance and plan accordingly.
Seamless Approvals: Use our feature’s automated workflows to submit, review, and approve leave requests efficiently.
Employer Insights: For employers, JustLogin Leave management dashboard provides an overview of who will be in the office during peak periods, helping with resource planning.
Make 2025 your year of balance with JustLogin’s Leave Management tool. With its user-friendly interface, planning and tracking your leave has never been easier. From syncing public holidays to managing leave requests, it helps you take full control of your time off—so you can focus on what matters most.
Ready to make the most of your holidays in 2025? Start planning now with JustLogin!
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