Employers May Be Fined RM10,000 If They Don’t Grant Their Staff Leave On 24 April
To mark the installation of Sultan Muhammad V from Kelantan as Malaysia’s 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, 24 April 2017 has been declared as a public holiday under the Public Holidays Act 1951.
By John Lim — 04 Apr 2017, 01:10 PM
Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan has said that employers who don't grant leave on 24 April could face a RM10,000 summon
In an interview with Chinese daily Sin Chew, Shamsuddin said the national holiday has been approved by the federal government under Section 8 of the 1951 Public Holidays Act.
This public holiday is a special one, announced by the federal government.
"If the state government announced the holidays, the employer has the right to decide whether or not to comply. But if the federal government, under the 1951 Public Holidays Act, declares a holiday - employers will have to comply, or they could face a RM10,000 fine," he said.
Shamsuddin also added that the federal government rarely announced holidays under Section 8 of the 1951 Public Holidays Act, unless it is the passing of a royal figure or head of state
Those residing in Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, and Perlis will have an extra holiday since Israk and Mikraj is celebrated in the three states on 24 April.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Abdul Halim Bin Mansor said that government and private offices in every state should comply to the holiday as a sign of respect
"It's a form of respect to the YDPA. I understand that some companies may have plans on that day, but the federal government has given a 20-day notice, so I believe arrangements can be made. If a company decides not to grant leave, they might be punished," he said as quoted by Sin Chew.
He noted that if employees were to work on that day, employers are obligated to pay double salary
"I don't see why an employer wouldn't want to grant leave on 24 April, since the Agong's installation ceremony only happens once in five years. But if for any reasons they choose to allow their employees to work, double pay salary must be given," he added.
24 April 2017 has been declared a public holiday in conjunction with the inauguration of the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V
"The installation of Sultan Muhammad V will take place at the Balairung Seri in the morning, while the royal dinner will be held at Dewan Santapan at night. Two other inauguration events will be held on Apr 20 and May 2," said Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Ali Hamsa,
Ali added that the public holiday announcement was declared under Section 8 of the Public Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369) for peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan, while Sabah and Sarawak could take such action in accordance with their laws.