How many long weekends in 2020, ah? Seven
Tuesday, 24 Dec 20198:42 AM MYT
By BERNARD CHEAH
PETALING JAYA: So, Christmas is coming and 2020 is just around the corner. If you haven't planned your holidays yet, you'll be happy to know that there are seven long weekends in the new year.
The seven official long weekends are:
Chinese New Year: Jan 25 to 28 (Saturday to Tuesday)
Labour Day: May 1 to 3 (Friday to Sunday)
Hari Raya Aidilfitri: May 23 to 26 (Saturday to Tuesday)
Hari Raya Haji: July 31 to Aug 2 (Friday to Sunday)
National Day: Aug 29 to 31 (Saturday to Monday)
Deepavali: Nov 13 to 15 (Friday to Sunday)
Christmas: Dec 25 to 27 (Friday to Sunday)
It's also possible to enjoy another four long weekends if one takes a day or two's leave on several other occasions.
These include the start of 2020 (taking leave on Monday and Tuesday, Dec 30 and 31,2019), Wesak Day (Friday, May 8), Awal Muharram (Friday, Aug 21), Hari Malaysia (Since Hari Malaysia falls on Wednesday, you can either take two days before or two days after Sept 16), and Prophet Muhammad's birthday (Friday, Oct 30).
In comparison, 2019 had six official long weekends.
These were Wesak Day (Monday, May 20), Hari Raya Haji (Sunday and Monday, Aug 11 and 12), National Day and Awal Muharram (Saturday to Monday, Aug 31 to Sept 2), the Yang Dipertuan Agong's birthday (Monday, Sept 9), Malaysia Day (Monday, Sept 16) and Deepavali (Sunday and Monday, Oct 27 and 28)
These public holidays either fell on a Friday, Sunday or Monday.
Now that you have this vital information, may you go cheerfully into 2020!
