Last-minute holiday announcements bad for business, govt told

 Employers' federation says while it welcomes special holidays, ad hoc announcements will have an impact on companies that operate around the clock.

Malaysian Employers Federation president Syed Hussain Syed Husman said companies often plan their staffing and production schedules weeks or even months in advance. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) tonight urged the government to consult businesses and give them reasonable notice before declaring special public holidays.

MEF president Syed Hussain Syed Husman said employers did not object to holidays, but noted that the impact of such ad hoc announcements on the private sector should be taken into account.

He said industries that operated around the clock, such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and hospitality, often planned their staffing and production schedules weeks or even months in advance.

Businesses that need to operate on a public holiday also face additional costs, including overtime pay, shift allowances, and transport costs, in accordance with the Employment Act.

“Such short notice makes it difficult to adjust shift schedules and supply chain operations. This can have a knock-on effect on production targets and international delivery commitments.

“The federal and state governments should set a reasonable minimum notice period to give employers enough time to adjust their operations,” he told FMT.

Syed Hussain was commenting on the Selangor government’s decision to declare Sept 1 a special holiday following the state’s performance in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2026.

Menteri besar Amirudin Shari declared a special holiday in recognition of Selangor’s success at Sukma 2026 after the state topped the medal tally with 101 gold, surpassing its target of 80.

Separately, Raymond Woo, a Federation of Malaysian Business Associations (FMBA) central executive committee member, said last-minute holiday announcements could make it difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to manage their operations and cash flow.

Woo said a business’s survival hinged on generating sufficient revenue to cover costs such as salaries and working capital.

“If sales are affected by disruptions to operations, the viability of the business will be at risk, and this will directly affect the future of its employees,” he said.

He urged the government to be more mindful of the reality businesses have to face before imposing any additional financial burden on employers. - FMT