Good news for a long weekend ahead!
Feb 1, 2026 has been officially gazetted as a dual public holiday for Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day.
The Peninsular Malaysia Department of Labour says Federal Territory Day is a “mandatory, non-substitutable holiday for private-sector employers in the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, as stipulated under Section 60D(1)(a)(iii) of the Employment Act 1955.”
Since the date falls on a Sunday, companies whose weekly rest day is Sunday must give a replacement holiday on Monday.
“For employers who select Thaipusam as one of their six optional holidays under the Act, a replacement holiday must be given on Tuesday, as the two holidays coincide,” the department added.
Alternatively, with employee consent, employers may grant a different day as a paid holiday in lieu, in accordance with subsection 60D(1A).
And if anyone has to work on either public holiday, they’re entitled to holiday pay at the rate specified in Section 60D(3), the department said.
