The federal government has gazetted February 1 as a dual public holiday in conjunction with Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day.
The Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department said Federal Territory Day is a mandatory and non-substitutable public holiday for both the public and private sectors in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan, as provided under Section 60D(1)(a)(iii) of the Employment Act 1955.
As the holiday falls on a Sunday, employers whose weekly rest day is Sunday are required to grant a replacement holiday on Monday.
For employers who have selected Thaipusam as one of the six optional public holidays under the Act, a replacement holiday must be granted on Tuesday, as both celebrations fall on the same day.
Alternatively, employers may, with the consent of employees, grant another day as a paid holiday in lieu, in accordance with Subsection 60D(1A).
The department added that employees required to work on either public holiday are entitled to holiday pay at the rate stipulated under Section 60D(3) of the Act.
