Public holidays give us a break in more ways than one! We’ve created the ultimate guide for you to find the best time to go on your dream holiday based on Malaysian public holidays 2022.
Ever heard about Malaysia having among the highest number of public holidays compared to other countries in the region and around the world? This is, indeed, true. Those working in Malaysia enjoy federal public holidays and a few extra holidays observed by individual states and federal territories.
Malaysian Public Holidays 2022
On average, the number of public holidays in Malaysia comes up to 19 days. The global average for public holidays in a country is 11 days.
Fun fact: Norway has the fewest public holidays with only two days off. (Then again, Norway has the biggest sovereign wealth fund in the world and education, even in public universities, is free to students of any origin.)
Malaysian employees are also entitled to paid annual leave, which ranges from 8 days to 16 days, depending on the employer. To maximise your holiday travel days, schedule your annual leave around public holidays in 2022.
Note that if the public holiday falls on a Sunday, you will probably get the following Monday off. If the public holiday falls on a Saturday (where Saturday is a non-working day), it depends on your company’s policy if you get the preceding Friday or following Monday off.
Keep in mind that the actual date for some public holidays 2022 will only be confirmed closer to the event. These include:
- Hari Raya Puasa aka Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Eid al-fitr on 3 May and 4 May
- Deepavali on 24 October
- Dates for state holidays may also change
plan Early for the best holiday
Covid-19 travel restrictions have made one thing clear. It is time to go for that dream holiday when borders reopen, and international movement is quarantine-free and entirely up to you. Things are still fluid at this point and much depends on whether the coronavirus outbreak can be addressed by vaccination programmes.
But there is good news! There are already countries that don’t impose quarantines on inbound travellers.
By planning early, you can maximise the duration of your holiday in 2022 and head to the dream destination on your bucket list.
Which is the best month for a holiday in 2022?
Malaysia has 14 federal public holidays. Based on the prime minister’s office (PMO) list of national public holidays in 2022, May is the best month to plan a holiday.
With some annual leave taken around the Labour Day and Hari Raya Aidilfitri public holidays, you can easily get a week off for your travels.
Calendar 2022 Malaysia Public Holidays
| Month | Date | Day | Public Holiday |
| February | 1 | Tuesday | Chinese New Year Day 1 |
| 2 | Wednesday | Chinese New Year Day 2 | |
| May | 1 | Sunday | Labour Day |
| 3 | Tuesday | Hari Raya Aidilfitri Day 1 | |
| 4 | Wednesday | Hari Raya Aidilfitri Day 2 | |
| 15 | Sunday | Wesak Day | |
| June | 6 | Monday | Agong’s birthday |
| July | 10 | Sunday | Hari Raya Haji |
| 30 | Saturday | Awal Muharram | |
| August | 31 | Wednesday | Merdeka Day |
| September | 16 | Friday | Malaysia Day |
| October | 9 | Sunday | Nabi Muhammad’s Birthday |
| 24 | Monday | Deepavali | |
| December | 25 | Sunday | Christmas |
*Kelantan and Terengganu have two public holidays for Hari Raya Puasa
What about the other Malaysian public holidays?
Let’s look at public holidays observed by each state and federal territory in the country.
To make it easy for our readers across the country, we listed public holidays observed in groups of two states.
- Kuala Lumpur and Selangor
- Penang and Melaka
- Perak and Pahang
- Johor and Negeri Sembilan
- Kedah and Perlis
- Kelantan and Terengganu
- Sabah and Sarawak
- Labuan and Putrajaya
Holiday Malaysia 2022: Kuala Lumpur and Selangor
There are 17 and 18 public (federal and state) holidays in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, respectively:
January
- 1 (Sat) – New Year’s Day
- 18 (Tues) – Thaipusam
February
- 1 (Tues) – Federal Territory Day / Chinese New Year Day 1
- 2 (Wed) – Chinese New Year Day 2
April
- 19 (Tue) – Nuzul Al-Quran
May
- 1 (Sun) – Labour Day
- 3 (Tue) – Hari Raya Day 1
- 4 (Wed) – Hari Raya Day 2
- 15 (Sun) – Wesak Day
June
- 6 (Mon) – Agong’s birthday
July
- 10 (Sun) – Hari Raya Haji
- 30 (Sat) – Awal Muharram
August
- 31 (Wed) – Merdeka Day
September
- 16 (Fri) – Malaysia Day
October
- 9 (Sun) – Nabi Muhammad’s Birthday
- 24 (Mon) – Deepavali
December
- 11 (Sun) – Sultan Selangor’s Birthday (holiday in Selangor)
- 25 (Sun) – Christmas
Public Holidays 2022: Penang and Melaka
There are 19 public (federal and state) holidays in Penang. The ideal months for a holiday are May and July, which have 4 public holidays each.
There are 18 public (federal and state) holidays in Melaka. The ideal months for a holiday are May and August.
January
- 1 (Sat) – New Year’s Day
- 18 (Tues) – Thaipusam (holiday in Penang)
February
- 1 (Tues) –Chinese New Year Day 1
- 2 (Wed) – Chinese New Year Day 2
April
- 3 (Sun) – First Day of Ramadan (holiday in Melaka)
- 15 (Fri) – Declaration of Melaka as a Historical City (holiday in Melaka)
- 19 (Tue) – Nuzul Al-Quran (holiday in Penang)
May
- 1 (Sun) – Labour Day
- 3 (Tue) – Hari Raya Day 1
- 4 (Wed) – Hari Raya Day 2
- 15 (Sun) – Wesak Day
June
- 6 (Mon) – Agong’s birthday
July
- 7 (Thu) – George Town UNESCO World Heritage Day (holiday in Penang)
- 9 (Sat) – Governor of Penang’s Birthday (holiday in Penang)
- 10 (Sun) – Hari Raya Haji
- 30 (Sat) – Awal Muharram
August
- 24 (Wed) – Melaka Governor’s Birthday
- 31 (Wed) – Merdeka Day
September
- 16 (Fri) – Malaysia Day
October
- 9 (Sun) – Nabi Muhammad’s Birthday
- 24 (Mon) – Deepavali
December
- 25 (Sun) – Christmas
Holiday Malaysia 2022: Perak and Pahang
There are 18 public (federal and state) holidays in Perak. The ideal months for a long holiday are February and May.
There are also 18 public (federal and state) holidays in Pahang. The ideal month for a long holiday would be May.
January
- 1 (Sat) – New Year’s Day
- 18 (Tues) – Thaipusam (holiday in Perak)
February
- 1 (Tues) –Chinese New Year Day 1
- 2 (Wed) – Chinese New Year Day 2
April
- 19 (Tue) – Nuzul Al-Quran
May
- 1 (Sun) – Labour Day
- 3 (Tue) – Hari Raya Day 1
- 4 (Wed) – Hari Raya Day 2
- 15 (Sun) – Wesak Day
- 22 (Sun) – Hari Hol (holiday in Pahang)
June
- 6 (Mon) – Agong’s birthday
July
- 10 (Sun) – Hari Raya Haji
- 30 (Sat) – Awal Muharram
- 30 (Sat) – Sultan of Pahang’s Birthday (holiday in Pahang)
August
- 31 (Wed) – Merdeka Day
September
- 16 (Fri) – Malaysia Day
October
- 9 (Sun) – Nabi Muhammad’s Birthday
- 24 (Mon) – Deepavali
November
- 4 (Fri) – Sultan of Perak’s Birthday (holiday in Perak)
December
- 25 (Sun) – Christmas
Public Holidays 2022: Johor and NegEri Sembilan
There are 18 public (federal and state) holidays in Johor and Negri Sembilan. For both states, May is the best month for a break.
January
- 1 (Sat) – New Year’s Day (holiday in Negeri Sembilan)
- 14 (Fri) – Sultan of Negri Sembilan’s birthday (holiday in Negeri Sembilan)
- 18 (Tues) – Thaipusam
February
- 1 (Tues) –Chinese New Year Day 1
- 2 (Wed) – Chinese New Year Day 2
March
- 1 (Tues) – Isra and Miraj (holiday in Negeri Sembilan)
- 23 (Wed) – Sultan of Johor’s Birthday (holiday in Johor)
April
- 3 (Sun) – First Day of Ramadan (holiday in Johor)
May
- 1 (Sun) – Labour Day
- 3 (Tue) – Hari Raya Day 1
- 4 (Wed) – Hari Raya Day 2
- 15 (Sun) – Wesak Day
June
- 6 (Mon) – Agong’s birthday
July
- 10 (Sun) – Hari Raya Haji
- 30 (Sat) – Awal Muharram
August
- 31 (Wed) – Merdeka Day
September
- 3 (Sat) – Hari Hol Almarhum Sultan Iskandar (holiday in Johor)
- 16 (Fri) – Malaysia Day
October
- 9 (Sun) – Nabi Muhammad’s Birthday
- 24 (Mon) – Deepavali
December
- 25 (Sun) – Christmas
Holiday Malaysia 2022: Kedah and Perlis
There are 18 public (federal and state) holidays in Kedah and Perlis. May is the best month for a long holiday in both states.
January
- 1 (Sat) – New Year’s Day
February
- 1 (Tues) –Chinese New Year Day 1
- 2 (Wed) – Chinese New Year Day 2
March
- 1 (Tues) – Isra and Miraj
April
- 3 (Sun) – First Day of Ramadan (holiday in Kedah)
- 19 (Tue) – Nuzul Al-Quran (holiday in Perlis)
May
- 1 (Sun) – Labour Day
- 3 (Tue) – Hari Raya Day 1
- 4 (Wed) – Hari Raya Day 2
- 15 (Sun) – Wesak Day
- 17 (Tue) – Sultan on Perlis’s birthday (holiday in Perlis)
June
- 6 (Mon) – Agong’s birthday
- 19 (Sun) – Sultan of Kedah’s birthday (holiday in Kedah)
July
- 10 (Sun) – Hari Raya Haji Day 1
- 11 (Mon) – Hari Raya Haji Day 2
- 30 (Sat) – Awal Muharram
August
- 31 (Wed) – Merdeka Day
September
- 16 (Fri) – Malaysia Day
October
- 9 (Sun) – Nabi Muhammad’s Birthday
- 24 (Mon) – Deepavali
December
- 25 (Sun) – Christmas
Public Holidays 2022: Kelantan and Terengganu
There are 18 public (federal and state) holidays in Kelantan. Meanwhile, Terengganu has 20 public holidays. March and May are good months for a long holiday in Terengganu.
February
- 1 (Tues) –Chinese New Year Day 1
- 2 (Wed) – Chinese New Year Day 2
March
- 1 (Tues) – Isra and Miraj (holiday in Terengganu)
- 4 (Fri) – Anniversary of the coronation of the Sultan of Terengganu (holiday in Terengganu)
April
- 19 (Tue) – Nuzul Al-Quran
- 26 (Tue) – Sultan of Terengganu’s birthday (holiday in Terengganu)
May
- 1 (Sun) – Labour Day
- 3 (Tue) – Hari Raya Day 1
- 4 (Wed) – Hari Raya Day 2
- 15 (Sun) – Wesak Day
June
- 6 (Mon) – Agong’s birthday
July
- 9 (Sat) – Hari Arafah (holiday in Terengganu)
- 10 (Sun) – Hari Raya Haji
- 30 (Sat) – Awal Muharram
August
- 31 (Wed) – Merdeka Day
September
- 16 (Fri) – Malaysia Day
October
- 9 (Sun) – Nabi Muhammad’s Birthday
- 24 (Mon) – Deepavali
November
- 11 (Friday) – Sultan of Kelantan’s Birthday (holiday in Kelantan)
- 12 (Sat) – Sultan of Kelantan’s Birthday (holiday in Kelantan)
December
- 25 (Sun) – Christmas
Holiday Malaysia 2022: Sabah and Sarawak
There are 19 public (federal and state) holidays in Sarawak. June and October are ideal months for a holiday in this state.
Meanwhile, there are 20 public (federal and state) holidays in Sarawak. May and June have many public holidays and are great for a holiday for Sabahans.
January
- 1 (Sat) – New Year’s Day
February
- 1 (Tues) –Chinese New Year Day 1
- 2 (Wed) – Chinese New Year Day 2
April
- 15 (Fri) – Good Friday
May
- 1 (Sun) – Labour Day
- 3 (Tue) – Hari Raya Day 1
- 4 (Wed) – Hari Raya Day 2
- 15 (Sun) – Wesak Day
- 30 (Mon) – Pesta Kaamatan Day 1 (aka harvest festival, a holiday in Sabah)
- 31 (Tue) – Pesta Kaamatan Day 2 (holiday in Sabah)
June
- 1 (Wed) – Hari Gawai Dayak Day 1 (holiday in Sarawak)
- 2 (Thurs) – Hari Gawai Daya Day 2 (holiday in Sarawak)
- 6 (Mon) – Agong’s birthday
July
- 10 (Sun) – Hari Raya Haji
- 22 (Fri) – Sarawak’s Merdeka Day (holiday in Sarawak)
- 30 (Sat) – Awal Muharram
August
- 31 (Wed) – Merdeka Day
September
- 16 (Fri) – Malaysia Day
October
- 1 (Sat) – Sabah Governor’s Birthday (holiday in Sabah)
- 8 (Sat) – Sarawak Governor’s Birthday (holiday in Sarawak)
- 9 (Sun) – Nabi Muhammad’s Birthday
- 24 (Mon) – Deepavali (Only in Sabah)
December
- 24 (Sat) – Christmas Eve (holiday in Sabah)
- 25 (Sun) – Christmas
Public Holidays 2022: Labuan and Putrajaya
There are 18 public (federal and state) holidays in Putrajaya while Labuan has 19 public holidays.
January
- 1 (Sat) – New Year’s Day
- 18 (Tues) – Thaipusam (holiday in Putrajaya)
February
- 1 (Tues) –Chinese New Year Day 1 / Federal Territory Day
- 2 (Wed) – Chinese New Year Day 2
April
- 19 (Tues) – Nuzul Al-Quran
May
- 1 (Sun) – Labour Day
- 3 (Tue) – Hari Raya Day 1
- 4 (Wed) – Hari Raya Day 2
- 15 (Sun) – Wesak Day
- 30 (Mon) – Pesta Kaamatan Day 1 (aka harvest festival, a holiday in Labuan)
- 31 (Tue) – Pesta Kaamatan Day 2 (holiday in Labuan)
June
- 6 (Mon) – Agong’s birthday
July
- 10 (Sun) – Hari Raya Haji
- 30 (Sat) – Awal Muharram
August
- 31 (Wed) – Merdeka Day
September
- 16 (Fri) – Malaysia Day
October
- 9 (Sun) – Nabi Muhammad’s Birthday
- 24 (Mon) – Deepavali
December
- 25 (Sun) – Christmas
Here are more great articles to help you plan your holidays in 2022:
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- The future of travel: A guide to travel sandboxes and travel bubbles
- Travel vaccinations, everything that you need to know