Companies refusing to give day off on Agong's coronation to face action

The Department of Labour of Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) said companies that refuse to recognise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Coronation Day as a public holiday will face action.

It said this in response to a memo sent by a printing company to its employees declaring that the public holidays for the year is already set at 11 days and that it "will not choose the king's coronation day as one of the public holidays".

The leaked memo added that the company "will not entertain any future additional public holiday announcement by the government" and those who fail to show up for work will receive a warning letter.

"This matter is now being investigated by JTKSM' legal compliance unit. The employer will be informed of its responsibility to comply with Section 60D(1) of the Employment Act 1955," JTKSM said in a statement.

It pointed out that while Section 60D(1)(a) of the Employment Act 1955 states that the public holidays in a year shall be 11 days, Section 60D(1)(b) also states that the government can declare any additional days as a public holiday in accordance with the Holidays Act 1951.

"Therefore, the total paid public holidays for employees in 2019 is 12 days.

"JTKSM will take legal action against employers who refuse to comply with its obligation under Section 60D of the Employment Act 1955," it said.

The Agong's Coronation Day has been fixed on July 30.