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The federal government has officially gazetted 1 February 2026 as a dual public holiday, as Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day will fall on the same date
According to a statement by the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department on Wednesday, 31 December 2025, Federal Territory Day remains a compulsory public holiday for both public and private sectors in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan.
This holiday cannot be substituted and is mandated under the Employment Act 1955.
Since 1 February 2026 falls on a Sunday, employees whose usual rest day is Sunday are entitled to a replacement holiday on Monday.
Meanwhile, for employers who have chosen Thaipusam as one of their six optional public holidays, things work a little differently
Since both celebrations land on the same day, a replacement holiday must be given on Tuesday instead.
That said, there's still some flexibility. With mutual agreement, employers and employees can opt for a different paid day off in lieu of the replacement holiday, as permitted under the Employment Act.
And if you're rostered to work on either public holiday, the Labour Department says you're still entitled to public holiday pay, calculated according to the rates set by the law.
So, what does this mean for you?
- If you work in KL, Putrajaya, or Labuan and Sunday is your rest day, you'll get Monday off for Federal Territory Day
- If your company observes Thaipusam, you'll also receive a replacement day off on Tuesday
- Put it all together, and some employees could enjoy a four-day break from Saturday to Tuesday — without taking any leave
So yes, depending on how your company applies the replacement days, some people in the Federal Territories could be looking at a longer break
Not a bad way to start February, honestly.
