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With Wesak Day falling on Sunday, 31 May 2026, and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday on Monday, 1 June 2026, some employees may be entitled to Tuesday, 2 June 2026 as a replacement holiday — depending on the employer’s holiday arrangements and the employee’s rest day.
Employees and employers should take note of the public holiday arrangement for the upcoming Wesak Day and the Birthday of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2026, following clarification by the Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia (KESUMA).
The Federal Government has gazetted the following dates:
- Wesak Day: Sunday, 31 May 2026
- Birthday of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (compulsory paid & non-replaceable leave): Monday, 1 June 2026
The question many employers and employees may have is: Do employees also get Tuesday, 2 June 2026 off?
According to KESUMA, the answer depends on two factors: whether the employer has selected Wesak Day as one of the company’s paid public holidays, and whether Sunday is the employee’s weekly rest day.
Under the Employment Act 1955, the Birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is one of the compulsory paid public holidays that must be granted by private sector employers in Peninsular Malaysia, including the Federal Territory of Labuan. This holiday falls on Monday, 1 June 2026, and cannot be replaced with another day.
Wesak Day, however, is treated differently. It is a public holiday that employers may choose as part of the remaining paid public holidays to be given to employees under the Act.
Since Wesak Day falls on Sunday, 31 May 2026, employers who have selected Wesak Day as a paid public holiday, and who designate Sunday as the employee’s weekly rest day, must provide a replacement paid public holiday.
Ordinarily, the next working day would be the replacement holiday. However, in this case, Monday, 1 June 2026 is already the compulsory public holiday for the Birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Therefore, the replacement holiday for Wesak Day would fall on Tuesday, 2 June 2026.
This means eligible employees should receive:
- 1 June 2026 (Monday) as a paid public holiday for the Birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong; and
- 2 June 2026 (Tuesday) as a replacement paid public holiday for Wesak Day, if Wesak Day was selected by the employer as a paid public holiday and Sunday is the employee’s rest day.
However, the replacement holiday for Wesak Day may be changed to another day if the employee agrees.
Employees who are required to work on a public holiday may be entitled to public holiday pay under the Employment Act 1955, subject to the Act’s coverage and requirements.
READ MORE: Employee entitlements: What to do if a public holiday in Malaysia falls on a rest or non-working day
Lead image / KESUMA Facebook
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