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Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2026 – Public Holiday Clarification & Extra Holiday
Posted on March 15, 2026 by Dzulfadhli bin Lamin
"The additional Hari Raya public holiday is a Federal declaration which means that it is a compulsory public holiday. Employers can choose to observe the additional public holiday or replace it to any other day."
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As we gear up for Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2026, the Prime Minister has handed us a welcome bit of "breaking news”. On 15 March 2026 he announced an extra public holiday to ensure Malaysians can enjoy a proper long weekend of Raya feasting, balik kampung traffic jams, and endless photo snapping.
This year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri is expected to fall on Saturday, 21 March 2026 (Hari Raya Day 1) and Sunday, 22 March 2026 (Hari Raya Day 2). In line with gazetted practice, Monday, 23 March 2026 will serve as the replacement holiday for Hari Raya Day 2, which falls on a rest day.
Based on the recent Prime Ministers announcement, we can expect the following as an extra holiday:
If Hari Raya (Day 1) starts earlier on Friday, 20 March 2026, then Monday, 23 March 2026 will be declared the extra holiday.
If Hari Raya (Day 1) falls on Saturday, 21 March 2026, then Friday, 20 March 2026 will be declared the extra holiday.
Kindly note that this holiday is declared under Section 8 of the Holidays Act 1951, making it a mandatory public holiday. However, the Act allows for the substitution of this holiday with another working day by mutual agreement between employer and employee(s).
In short, whichever way the moon decides to show up, Malaysians are guaranteed a long weekend. Whether you're heading north, south, or staying put to avoid the traffic jams.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri in advance!
News Reference: The Star
SCENARIOS
If Hari Raya falls on Friday, 20 March 2026
Date | Day | Status |
20 March 2026 | Friday | Hari Raya Day 1 |
21 March 2026 | Saturday | Hari Raya Day 2 |
22 March 2026 | Sunday | Rest day / weekend |
23 March 2026 | Monday | Additional Holiday |
If Hari Raya falls on Saturday, 21 March 2026
Date\ | Day | Status |
20 March 2026 | Friday | Additional Holiday |
21 March 2026 | Saturday | Hari Raya Day 1 |
22 March 2026 | Sunday | Hari Raya Day 2 |
23 March 2026 | Monday | Substituted Holiday (for employees observing Sunday as rest days) Normal Day for employees observing Sunday as a normal working day |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Q1: Do employees get paid extra if they work on Hari Raya or the additional holiday?
Yes. If employees are required to work on a gazetted public holiday, they must be paid holiday rates under Section 60D of the Employment Act 1955. However, employers also have the option to substitute the Hari Raya holiday and additional holiday to another day.
Q2: What if Hari Raya falls on a rest day?
According to Section 60D(1), any public holiday that falls on a rest day, will be substituted to the next working day.
Q3: Is the Prime Minister’s extra holiday optional?
Nope. It’s nationwide and binding. Employers must observe it, even if your company policy is “minimum holidays only.”
Q4: Can employers swap the extra holiday with another date?
Yes, although the newly declared public holiday is compulsory to observe, it can still be substituted to a different workday. If the company intends to substitute or swap the gazetted holiday date, it is advisable to first consult with the affected employee(s) to agree on the alternative date. For good practice and to avoid future disputes, the agreed substitution should be documented in writing and signed by the employee as acknowledgment.
Q5: My employee is scheduled to work on the public holiday and I am ready to pay them the public holiday rates. What if they are absent without leave?
If they are absent without leave, it shall be treated as absence without leave and you should also impose disciplinary action. Further, if your employee is absent on a day immediately before or after the public holiday without reasonable excuse, then the holiday pay is also forfeited.
Q6: How should HR communicate this to employees?
Best practice:
Update the holiday calendar.
Send out a cheerful memo vie email or WhatsApp blast (bonus points if you add a Raya GIF).
Remind payroll to adjust for holiday rates.
Q7: What happens if an employee has already applied for Annual Leave (AL) on the newly declared public holiday?
If an employee has applied for Annual Leave (AL) on the declared extra holiday date, the AL application should be cancelled or returned (if approved), because employees are entitled to enjoy the public holiday without having their annual leave deducted.
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