by Public Holiday News
Kuala Lumpur, Apr 11th 2018
The Malaysian government has issued a statement declaring Wednesday May 9 as an additional public holiday, after the election commission designated the day as the polling day for the upcoming general election.
"The public holiday is to facilitate the Malaysian people to fulfill their obligations as voters," the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
Authorities had previously announced that the polling day would be Wednesday 9 May, the first time a general election has been held on a weekday since 1999. At that stage, it was intended that the day would remain a normal working day. Initially deputy home minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed had said that there is no need to declare the polling day a public holiday, as existing laws require employers to give their employees time off work to vote.
More than 120,000 people signed a petition asking the Malaysia King to declare May 9 a national holiday to make it easier for Malaysians to return to their hometowns to vote.
The eastern Borneo state of Sarawak, conducted its state election in 2017, but has also declared 9 May as a public holiday. "Following the announcement by the Election Commission that polling day for the 14th general election falls on Wednesday, May 9, the state government has decided that an additional public holiday be declared throughout Sarawak on that day to enable the rakyat to exercise their democratic rights to vote," the Chief Minister's Office said in a statement on Thursday (April 12).
Sabah government announced that May 9 will be an additional public holiday to allow the people there to cast their votes. State secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman in a statement said this was in line with the federal government declaring May 9 an additional public holiday.
Weekday | Date | Holiday | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Monday | New Year's Day | Most states | |
Sunday | Birthday of the Sultan of Negeri Sembilan | Negeri Sembilan only | |
Wednesday | Thaipusam | Several states | |
Thursday | Federal Territory Day | Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Putrajaya | |
Friday | Chinese New Year | 1st day of 1st lunar month | |
Saturday | Chinese New Year | Except Kelantan, Terengganu | |
Sunday | Anniversary of Installation of the Sultan | Terengganu | |
Friday | Birthday of the Sultan of Johor | Johor only | |
Friday | Good Friday | Sabah and Sarawak | |
Saturday | Isra and Miraj | Kedah, Perlis and Negeri Sembilan | |
Sunday | Declaration of Malacca as a Historical City | Malacca | |
Thursday | Birthday of the Sultan of Terengganu | Terengganu only. Always celebrated on 26 April | |
Tuesday | Labour Day | International Workers' Day | |
Monday | The Sultan of Pahang Hol | Pahang | |
Wednesday | Public Holiday | For participation in General Elections | |
Thursday | Public Holiday | In conjunction with the 14th General Election | |
Friday | Public Holiday | In conjunction with the 14th General Election | |
Sunday | Mother's Day | 2nd Sunday in May. Not a public holiday | |
Thursday | Beginning of Ramadan | Johor, Kedah, Melaka only | |
Thursday | Public Holiday | Sarawak only | |
Friday | Public Holiday | Sarawak only | |
Tuesday | Wesak Day | Birth of Buddha | |
Wednesday | Pesta Kaamatan | Sabah and Labuan only | |
Thursday | Pesta Kaamatan | Sabah and Labuan only | |
Friday | Gawai Dayak | Sarawak | |
Saturday | Nuzul Al-Quran Day | All regions except Johor, Kedah, Malacca, Sabah, Sarawak | |
Saturday | Gawai Dayak | Sarawak | |
Friday | Hari Raya Aidilfitri | End of Ramadan | |
Saturday | Hari Raya Aidilfitri | Second day of holiday for Eid Al-Fitr | |
Sunday | Father's Day | 3rd Sunday in June. Not a public holiday | |
Saturday | George Town Heritage Day | Penang only | |
Saturday | Birthday of the Governor | Penang | |
Tuesday | Birthday of the Raja of Perlis | Perlis only | |
Sunday | Sarawak Day | ||
Wednesday | Eidul Adha | Festival of Sacrifice | |
Friday | National Day | Independence Day | |
Sunday | Birthday of SPB Yang di Pertuan Agong | King's Birthday | |
Tuesday | Awal Muharram | Hijri New Year | |
Sunday | Malaysia Day | Became a Federal Holiday in 2010 | |
Saturday | Hari Raya Haji | Kedah, Perlis only. Second day of Festival of Sacrifice | |
Saturday | Birthday of the Governor of Sabah | Sabah only. 1st Saturday in October | |
Friday | Melaka Governor's Birthday | Melaka | |
Saturday | Birthday of the Governor of Sarawak | Sarawak only | |
Monday | The Sultan of Johor Hol | Johor only | |
Monday | Occasional Holiday | For installation of Sultan | |
Wednesday | Birthday of the Sultan of Pahang | Pahang only | |
Monday | Public Holiday | Perak only. To mark the Malaysia Cup victory | |
Friday | Birthday of the Sultan of Perak | Perak | |
Tuesday | Deepavali | The festival of lights. Except Sarawak | |
Sunday | Birthday of the Sultan of Kelantan | Kelantan only | |
Monday | Birthday of the Sultan of Kelantan Holiday | Kelantan only. Second day | |
Tuesday | Maulidur Rasul | Birthday of Prophet Muhammad | |
Sunday | Public Holiday | Kelantan only. For anti-ICERD rally | |
Tuesday | Birthday of The Sultan of Selangor | Selangor only. Always celebrated on 11 December | |
Tuesday | Christmas Day |