PETALING JAYA, March 16- The Human Resources Ministry (MOHR) has called on employers nationwide to adopt “caring and progressive” employment practices by granting flexible leave arrangements following the government’s declaration of an additional public holiday for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
The statement follows Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement of an extra holiday intended to ease travel congestion and allow Malaysians to celebrate with their families. The specific date of the holiday depends on the sighting of the moon:
Scenario A: If Aidilfitri falls on Friday (March 20), the additional holiday will be Monday (March 23).
Scenario B: If Aidilfitri falls on Saturday (March 21), the additional holiday will be Friday (March 20).
The ministry clarified that this additional day is a recognized public holiday under the Holidays Act 1951. For the private sector, the holiday is subject to Section 60D of the Employment Act 1955.
While the holiday is mandatory, the ministry highlighted that the law allows for flexibility:
- Substitution: Employers may choose to replace the declared holiday with any other day as a substitute paid holiday for their workers.
- Public Holiday Rates: Employees required to work on the declared date must be compensated at the prescribed public holiday pay rate.
- Mandatory Notification: Employers must clearly inform their staff whether the holiday will be granted on the specific date or replaced with a substitute.
The ministry emphasized that these measures are aligned with the Madani administration’s agenda to strengthen work-life balance and foster inclusive working environments. “The celebration of festivals such as Aidilfitri is a deeply meaningful time for workers. We encourage constructive discussions between employers and employees to ensure that business operations continue smoothly while respecting the spirit of the celebration,” the ministry stated.
By encouraging mutual understanding, the MOHR expressed confidence that the additional holiday would contribute to more harmonious industrial relations across the country.
