Malaysia 2008 & 2009 Public Holidays

Yesterday was a public holiday for some states, but not for the Federal Territory, Kuala Lumpur. Yesterday's public holiday is Nuzul Al-Quran or translated in English as the Revelation of the Quran. I believe Malaysia has the most number of holidays as compared to other countries.

There are 17 public holidays in a year and 18 this year, 2008, because there are two Awal Muharram days. This is because the Muslim calendar is not a full twelve months so after a cycle of a few years, Muslim holidays will appear twice a year - at the beginning of the year and towards the end of the year. This year is one of this phenomenon. Awal Muharram is the Muslim New Year's Day.

For our foreign friends, let me give you a rundown of this year's holidays.

2008 Public Holidays
Jan
01 - New Year's Day
10 - Awal Muharram (Muslim New Year's Day)
23 - Thaipusam

Feb
07 - Chinese New Year
08 - Chinese New Year

Mar
20 - Prophet Muhammad's Birthday

May
01 - Labor Day
19 - Wesak Day

Jun
07 - King's Birthday

Aug
31 - National Day

Sep
17 - Nuzul Al-Quran (Revelation of the Quran)

Oct
01 - Hari Raya Puasa (*)
02 - Hari Raya Puasa (*)
27 - Deepavali

Dec
08 - Hari Raya Qurban/Haji (*)
11 - Sultan Selangor's Birthday
25 - Christmas
29 - Awal Muharram (Muslim New Year's Day)

* Subject to change

Want next year's too? Okay, let me also give you next year's so you'd know when we would be taking blog-breaks. LOL!

For our Chinese friends, yep, Chinese New Year will be in January, next year.

2009 Public Holidays
Jan
1 New Year's Day
26 & 27 Chinese New Year

Feb
8 Thaipusam

Mar
9 Prophet Muhammad's Birthday

May
1 Labor Day
9 Wesak Day

Jun
6 King's Birthday

Aug
31 National Day

Sep
7 Nuzul Al-Quran
20 & 21 Hari Raya Puasa (*)

Oct
17 Deepavali

Nov
27 Hari Raya Qurban/Haji (*)

Dec
11 Sultan Selangor Birthday
18 Awal Muharam (Muslim New Year's Day)
25 Christmas Day