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Malaysia’s Public Holidays Schedule 2016

Malaysia has numerous public holidays, which are divided into two categories: national and state. National holidays are applicable to, and observed by, by all the states in the country; state holidays may apply to just one or a few states. In addition, school holidays and weekends may be observed differently in the conservatively Muslim states of Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu compared to the other states in the country. The exact dates of a holiday may differ from year to year, depending on the calendar and cultural beliefs that are being followed (such as for the Chinese New Year celebrations).

As you plan for your trip to Malaysia, it is a good idea to look at the calendar and check out which dates have national and state holidays as these dates can affect the availability and prices of your accommodations. For example, a period where a national holiday falls into may be considered a peak season, which will most likely mean that prices will be higher compared to other times of the year.

Here is a list of the public holidays in Malaysia for 2016; allow this list to become your guide in your preparation for you Malaysian adventure, so that you can make the most out of your budget, and out of your whole experience.

Check out the best hotel offers in Malaysia here.

HOLIDAY

DATE    

APPLICABLE TO (STATES)

DESCRIPTION

JANUARY      

New Year’s Day

January 1 (Friday)

All except Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Perlis & Terengganu

Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan’s Birthday

January 14 (Thursday)

Negeri Sembilan

Birthday of the ruler of the state of Negeri Sembilan

Sultan of Kedah’s Birthday

January 17 (Sunday)

Kedah

Thaipusam

January 24 (Sunday)

Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Penang, Putrajaya & Selangor

An important Hindu festival dedicated to Kartikeya or lord Murugan, celebrated on the full moon of the Tamil month (January or February)

Thaipusam Holiday

January 25 (Monday)

FEBRUARY

Federal Territory Day

February 1 (Monday)

Labuan, Kuala Lumpur & Putrajaya

Celebration of the anniversary of the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory’s formation (in 1974)

Chinese New Year

February 8 (Monday)

National (all states)

Chinese New Year 2nd Day

February 9 (Tuesday)

All except Kelantan & Terengganu

MARCH

Anniversary of Installation of Sultan of Terengganu

March 4 (Friday)

Terengganu

Good Friday

March 25 (Friday)

Sabah & Sarawak

APRIL

Declaration of Melacca as Historical City

April 15 (Friday)

Melacca

Birthday of the Sultan of Terengganu

April 26 (Tuesday)

Terengganu only

MAY

Labour Day

May 1 (Sunday)

May 2 (Monday) (Observed)

National (all states)

Hari Hol Negeri Pahang

May 7 (Saturday)

Pahang

Commemoration of the death of the fourth sultan of Pahang

Birthday of the Raja of Perlis

May 17 (Tuesday)

Perlis

Wesak (Vesak) Day

May 21 (Saturday)

National (all states)

Sometimes called “Buddha’s Day” or Buddha’s Birthday”. Vesak is a holy day observed by Buddhists commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha

Harvest Festival

May 30 (Monday)

Labuan & Sabah

A festival manifesting the relationship between the Creator and Creation

Harvest Festival 2nd Day

May 31 (Tuesday)

Labuan & Sabah

JUNE

Gawai Dayak Festival

June 1 (Wednesday)

Sarawak

A multi-day festival honoring indigenous people; it is both a social and a religious occasion

Gawai Dayak 2nd Day June 2 (Thursday)  

Sarawak

 

Agong’s Birthday June 4 (Saturday) National (all states)  

Celebration of the birthday of the King of Malaysia

 

Awal Ramadan

June 6 (Monday)

Johor, Kedah & Malacca only

Start of the Ramadan (the Islamic holy month of fasting), which is also the month in which Muslims believe the Quran was revealed

JULY

Hari Raya Puasa

July 6 (Wednesday)

National (all states)

An important Muslim religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan

Hari Raya Puasa 2nd Day

July 7 (Thursday)

National (all states)

George Town World Heritage City Day

July 7 (Thursday)

Penang

Celebration of the anniversary of George Town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Governor of Penang’s Birthday

July 9 (Saturday)

Penang

AUGUST

National Day      (Hari Merdeka) August 31 (Wednesday) National (all states)  

Commemoration of the independence of the Federation of Malaysia from British colonial rule in 1957

 

SEPTEMBER

Sarawak Governor’s Birthday

September 10 (Saturday)

Sarawak

Hari Raya Haji

September 12 (Monday) National (all states) An important Islamic holiday/festival commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to follow the command of Allah (God) to sacrifice his son, Ishmael
Hari Raya Haji 2nd Day September 13 (Tuesday) Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis & Terengganu
Malaysia Day September 16 (Friday) National (all states) Commemoration of the establishment of the Malaysian federation in 1963
OCTOBER
Sabah Governor’s Birthday  October 1 (Saturday)  Sabah
Awal Muharram October 2 (Sunday) National (all states) Islamic New Year celebration

Melacca Governor’s Birthday

October 14 (Friday)

Melacca

Sultan of Pahang’s Birthday

October 24 (Monday)

Pahang

Deepavali (“Festival of Lights”)

October 29 (Saturday)

All except Sarawak & Labuan

Marks the start of the Hindu New Year according to the Lunar Calendar
NOVEMBER
Hari Hol Almarhum Sultan Iskandar November 6 (Sunday) Johor only
Sultan of Kelantan’s Birthday November 11 (Friday)  Kelantan

Sultan of Kelantan’s Birthday 2nd day

November 12 (Saturday)

Kelantan

Sultan of Perak’s Birthday November 27 (Sunday) Perak only
DECEMBER
Sultan of Selangor’s Birthday December 11 (Sunday)  Selangor
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
(Maulidur Rasul
December 12 (Monday) National (all states)
Christmas December 25 (Sunday) National (all states)
Christmas (Observed) December 26 (Monday)

About Chris

Chris had a passion to contribute to society especially to fellow travelers like himself. He also had a passion for Southeast Asia and frequently visited. While brainstorming ideas, he decided that a travel blog dedicated to his favorite countries, Thailand and Singapore, could be more beneficial than any guidebook. Only one year later did the blog’s success bring in more writers, more countries, and more readers.

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