Fresh from the public holiday last Monday (3 June) for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday, Malaysians will be enjoying another public holiday next Monday (17 June) too, this time for the Eid Al Adha, locally known as Hari Raya Haji.
With that being said, did you know that Malaysia has a whopping 16 days of public holidays celebrated nationally this year? Our abundance of public holidays has always been something most citizens and even foreigners view favourably.
These include a UK national praising our country for making all major religious celebrations a public holiday and a local TV presenter hilariously showing how Malaysia has 1 of the world’s most public holidays
Malaysia has the 4th lowest number of public holidays this year in Southeast Asia
For illustration purposes
However, did you know that despite having 16 public holidays this year, our country’s number of public holidays actually pales in comparison to our Southeast Asian neighbouring countries?
Malaysia’s public holidays for 2024
In fact, as per the ASEAN Member States National Holidays 2024 list on the official ASEAN website, our number of public holidays is the 4th joint lowest in the region with Brunei.
Only Laos (9 national holidays), Singapore (11 national holidays) and Vietnam (15 national holidays) have fewer public holidays than Malaysia.
For illustration purposes
Indonesia has a whopping 27 days of national holidays in 2024
Topping the list is Indonesia with almost a month of public holidays; 27 days to be exact!
This can be attributed to the Republic practising ‘Cuti Bersama‘ or joint holidays for most of its religious celebrations. Under the programme, should a religious holiday fall on a Thursday, employers are encouraged to give employees the Friday off so that they can enjoy a 4-day weekend.
Accordingly, for 2024, Indonesia provides 10 days for joint holidays.
For illustration purposes
In 2nd place is Cambodia with 22 national holidays, followed by Myanmar with 19 days in 3rd place, as well as Philippines and Thailand in joint 4th place with 18 days.
Check out the full number of public holidays for each Southeast Asian country below as per the neat graphic by Seasia Stats:
So, what do you guys think of Malaysia’s number of public holidays compared to our Southeast Asian neighbouring countries? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Also read: Foreigner Praises M’sia for Making All Major Religious Celebrations a Public Holiday Unlike the UK
