Five-Day Public Holiday Period in Sabah from May 30 to June 3, 2026

Five-Day Public Holiday Period in Sabah from May 30 to June 3, 2026

The unique five-day public holiday period in Sabah from May 30 to June 3, 2026, is a result of the interplay between national public holidays and Sabah-specific holidays, governed by the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Cap. 67) and the Holidays Ordinance (Cap. 56).

Legal Framework for Replacement Holidays

The provision for replacement holidays when a gazetted public holiday falls on a Sunday is primarily stipulated in Section 3(3) of the Holidays Ordinance (Cap. 56). This section states:

“If any of the days set out in either of the Schedules hereto falls on a Sunday the following day shall be observed as the public holiday unless otherwise ordered by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.”

This legal principle ensures that employees are not deprived of their public holiday entitlement when a holiday coincides with a regular rest day (Sunday). The Labour Ordinance of Sabah (Amendment) Act 2025 further reinforces the framework for public holiday entitlements, indicating a modernised approach to employment practices in the state.