M'sia govt reminds bosses Agong's Birthday is compulsory public holiday for workers

The Malaysian government has declared Jun. 2 as a public holiday in conjunction with Vesak Day and the official birthday of the Agong of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar.

Both events fall on May 31 and Jun. 1, respectively.

Compulsory holiday

According to the Human Resources Ministry, the Agong’s official birthday is among the five compulsory public holidays that must be given to employees by public sector employers, The Star reported.

Employment laws in Malaysia stipulate that the Agong’s birthday is a holiday that cannot be replaced with another day.

Unlike the Agong’s birthday, Vesak Day falls under the category of optional public holidays that employers may select as part of the six paid public holidays that need to be granted to employees.

If a public holiday falls on a weekly rest day, the next working day must be treated as a replacement paid holiday in accordance with employment laws.

Vesak Day falls on a Sunday.

Employers who observe Sunday as a weekly rest day choose Vesak Day as a paid public holiday, and must observe Jun. 1, a Monday, as a paid public holiday for the King’s Birthday, and cannot be substituted.

Replacement paid holiday

Jun. 2, a Tuesday, was granted as a replacement public holiday for Vesak Day.

However, such replacement leave may be substituted with another day upon mutual agreement between employers and employees.

The government also reminded that employees earning RM4,000 (S$1,285.83) and below who are required to work on a public holiday are entitled to public holiday pay rates in accordance with Malaysian employment laws.