Malaysia Good Friday Holiday
Good Friday in Malaysia is an official public holiday, but only within East Malaysia. This means that only Sabah and Sarawak will be celebrating this Christian-related public holiday.
| Date | Day | Public Holiday | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Apr | Friday | Good Friday 2020 | Sabah and Sarawak |
| 2 Apr | Friday | Good Friday 2021 | Sabah and Sarawak |
| 15 Apr | Friday | Good Friday 2022 | Sabah and Sarawak |
| 7 Apr | Friday | Good Friday 2023 | Sabah and Sarawak |
| 29 Mar | Friday | Good Friday 2024 | Sabah and Sarawak |
| 18 Apr | Friday | Good Friday 2025 | Sabah and Sarawak |
What is Good Friday in Malaysia All About?
Christians around the world celebrate Good Friday (not just in Malaysia) prior to Easter. After they celebrate Good Friday in Malaysia, two days later Easter is a celebration on Sunday. Easter is an ancient Christian tradition. It is the most important date in the Christian calendar.
Easter Sunday is sacred because it is the day of Jesus resurrection. Christian everywhere views this as a joyous occasion. In Christianity, it is the oldest feast celebration. Christians follow the calendar of the Church, which is referred to as the liturgical calendar. Prior to Good Friday, Christians who choose to do so can opt to fast for a 40-day period prior. This period is known as Lent, and it is meant to be a time of fast and abstinence.
How Do They Celebrate It?
Traditionally, Good Friday in Malaysia is a day of prayer for Christians to remember the day that Jesus was crucified on the cross. Different countries have different celebrations, but in Malaysia Christians mark the day by attending mass in Church. Some Christians opt to fast during the day.
Most Churches hold their Good Friday service in the afternoons. This usually happens around noon, although there are evening services to accommodate those who are working. Many churches in Malaysia also re-enact the events leading up to the hour that Jesus was hung on the cross. The re-enactments are part of the mass celebrations.
What to Do During Good Friday in Malaysia
Since the Good Friday public holiday only applies to the state of Sabah and Sarawak, there’s no direct impact thus. Schools and offices in East Malaysia continue to operate as normal as any other day. Offices and schools in Sabah and Sarawak would close to observe the holiday.
Unlike other public holidays, Good Friday in Malaysia celebrates on a smaller scale. If you happen to be in Sabah and Sarawak, you’ll find the churches there filled with Christian worshippers. They will be singing songs of praise and narrate the events that happened centuries ago. Despite being a public holiday in East Malaysia, many Christians still flock to church after work. On Easter Sunday, you’ll find the churches filled with worshippers again, as families come together to celebrate this joyous day.
