Employees in the Federal Territories will be entitled to two days of replacement leave after Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day fall on the same day.
The Labour Department of Peninsular Malaysia confirmed that 1 February 2026 (Sunday) is officially gazetted as a public holiday for both Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day.
- Employers in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan must observe Federal Territory Day as a public holiday under Section 60D(1)(a) of the Employment Act 1955
- The holiday cannot be replaced by another holiday.
Replacement leave arrangements
Since Federal Territory Day falls on a Sunday, employers with Sunday as a rest day must grant a replacement holiday on the following Monday.
Additionally, if Thaipusam is chosen as an optional public holiday, a further replacement leave must given on the next working day (Tuesday) due to the overlap.
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“With the employee’s consent, the employer may provide another date as a paid substitute holiday,” Federal Government stated.
Work on public holidays
Employees required to work on a public holiday remain entitled to statutory wages as specified in Section 60D(3) of the Employment Act 1955.
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