Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is the grandest holiday of the year for the Hindu community worldwide, including Malaysia. Deepavali is one of the 13 federal gazetted holidays in our Malaysia public holiday calendar, observed nationally except in Sarawak. It is also called 'Cuti Deepavali' locally.
In Malaysia, Deepavali is celebrated among significant Hindu community that observes the holiday mainly consisting of Tamils. It is a time when people go out with festivities; houses are cleaned and decorated with oil lamps and colourful rangoli. Hindu families come together to pray, exchange gifts, and indulge in traditional feasts.
Deepavali 2026 in Malaysia: dates & cuti umum
Here's a quick reference for Deepavali public holiday dates in Malaysia, including the historical archive:
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 Nov | Sun | Deepavali | National except Sarawak |
| 2026 | 9 Nov | Mon | Deepavali Holiday (replacement) | Federal replacement under Section 8, Holidays Act 1951 |
| 2025 | 20 Oct | Mon | Deepavali | National except Sarawak |
| 2024 | 31 Oct | Thu | Deepavali | National except Sarawak |
| 2023 | 12 Nov | Sun | Deepavali | National except Sarawak |
Deepavali dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar (Kartika Amavasya) and vary year to year. Always verify the gazetted date through Malaysia's federal gazette or kabinet.gov.my close to the date.
Is there any extension of the Deepavali holiday?
Yes, when Deepavali falls on a Sunday (as it does in 2026), the following Monday is observed as a replacement public holiday under Section 8 of the Holidays Act 1951. This federal-level replacement applies to all states except Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Sarawak and Terengganu (which follow their own state replacement rules).
Which states in Malaysia do not observe Deepavali?
Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia that does not observe Deepavali as a public holiday.
| State | Deepavali Holiday |
|---|---|
| Johor | Yes |
| Kedah | Yes |
| Kelantan | Yes |
| Melaka | Yes |
| Negeri Sembilan | Yes |
| Pahang | Yes |
| Penang | Yes |
| Perak | Yes |
| Perlis | Yes |
| Sabah | Yes |
| Selangor | Yes |
| Terengganu | Yes |
| Kuala Lumpur | Yes |
| Labuan | Yes |
| Putrajaya | Yes |
| Sarawak | No |
The primary reason for this is may be due to the demographic composition of the state. Sarawak is predominantly populated by the indigenous Dayak people, who follow either Christianity or traditional animistic beliefs. The state also has substantial populations of Chinese and Malay communities, who typically follow Buddhism, Taoism, or Islam.
Diwali is a significant festival for Hindus, Sikhs, and some Buddhists. However, these communities represent a tiny fraction of Sarawak's total population. As such, Deepavali is not observed as a public holiday in Sarawak.
It's also worth noting that public holidays in Malaysia are largely determined by each state's government, taking into account the cultural and religious composition of their population. So, while Deepavali is a national holiday in most of Malaysia, the Sarawak state government may has chosen not to observe it due to its relatively small Hindu and Sikh communities.
Conclusion
Diwali in Malaysia is a vibrant fusion of culture and spirituality, with the festivities spilling out into the streets and public spaces, making it a unique experience for everyone, regardless of their cultural background.
The government recognises this important holiday, ensuring it is included in the list of public holidays in Malaysia, which shows Malaysia's multicultural identity.