Additional Hari Raya public holiday confirmed in Sarawak on March 20 or 23

Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, March 18: The Sarawak government has announced an additional public holiday for Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2026, which will fall either on Friday (March 20) or Monday (March 23), depending on the official sighting of the Syawal crescent.

In a statement today, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki said the government has agreed, adopted, and officially declared the extra holiday in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebrations.

“Accordingly, if 1 Syawal 1447H falls on Friday, 20 March 2026, then Monday, 23 March 2026 will be declared an additional public holiday throughout Sarawak.

“Conversely, if 1 Syawal 1447H falls on Saturday, 21 March 2026, then Friday, 20 March 2026 will be the additional public holiday throughout the state,” he said.

The Sarawak government emphasised that this declaration is in addition to the public holidays already provided under the First Schedule of the Public Holidays Ordinance.

This follows Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s earlier announcement of an additional Hari Raya holiday to allow Malaysians more time to travel and celebrate with their families.

Meanwhile, the sighting of the Syawal crescent is scheduled for the evening of 19 March at 29 locations nationwide. The Office of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal said the official Hari Raya Aidilfitri date will be announced that evening.

The Conference of Rulers has agreed that the celebration date will be determined using both rukyah (visual moon observation) and hisab (astronomical calculation), ensuring accuracy and uniformity across Malaysia. — DayakDaily