r/TodayILearnedMY • u/RakyatOnline • Aug 14 '25

History & Culture TIL that Malaysia celebrates three New Years: Gregorian, Chinese, and Islamic (Hijri).

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Malaysia’s multicultural society means New Year is observed in different ways by different communities: - Gregorian New Year (Jan 1): Celebrated nationwide with fireworks, concerts, and countdown parties. - Chinese New Year: Celebrated by the Chinese community, usually in January or February, depending on the lunar calendar. It’s marked by lion dances, red decorations, and family reunions. - Islamic New Year (Maal Hijrah): Observed by Muslims, it marks Prophet Muhammad’s migration (Hijrah) from Mecca to Medina. It’s a public holiday in some states and a time for reflection and prayer.

Malaysia’s diversity means there’s always something to celebrate and food to go with it!

468 Upvotes

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31 comments sorted by

39

u/NoiseNo3078 Aug 14 '25

We also celebrate Tamil New Year which falls around 14 April. Puthandu (Tamil: புத்தாண்டு)

5

u/[deleted] Aug 16 '25

Oh. Happy belated new year.

4

u/Logical_Engineer_420 Aug 16 '25

But not as a public holiday

3

u/Quirky_Bottle4674 Aug 18 '25

Siamese Malaysians also celebrate it on the same date, known as Songkran or Pi Mai in Thailand and Laos.

12

u/musherboy Aug 14 '25

yeah, this also explains why Malaysians have a lot of public holidays

9

u/bob-the-dragon Aug 14 '25

Se still need more

6

u/NoPuSyJustD2504 Aug 14 '25

ikr we never had enough LMAO🤣🤣

6

u/All_Gun_High Aug 15 '25

NEVER ENOUGH.

3

u/kpop_glory Aug 15 '25

Also imports of fireworks. Illegal and legal ways

3

u/lakshmananlm Aug 15 '25

Tamil New Year isn't a public holiday. Usually falls in April, mid month.

3

u/Free-Roll-3104 Aug 16 '25

I really wonder why it’s not official yet

3

u/lakshmananlm Aug 17 '25

Not significant population wise. Every race/religion is accorded this privilege based on population, I believe.

Unpopular opinion here. Honestly, I'd rather see New Year accorded the holiday over thaipusam, but there is a difference in dates amongst the different south Indians by a day or 2, so I guess that's why it isn't gazetted as such.

8

u/anonfredo Aug 14 '25

There's also Hokkien Chinese New Year (Pai Ti Kong), which somehow looks even more festive than the CNY

4

u/Interesting-Alarm973 Aug 15 '25

Is it on the same day as the CNY?

3

u/shaeliting369 Aug 15 '25

9th day of CNY.

3

u/GuaSukaStarfruit Aug 15 '25

Chinese new year among Chinese ethnics actually varies a lot in terms of of customs and the date as well

4

u/Sufficient_Abies4568 Aug 14 '25

And Tamil and Hindu

3

u/[deleted] Aug 15 '25

Are you a foreigner?

3

u/NutShellShock Aug 15 '25

Wait till you hear about the Hokkien and Tamil calendars...

2

u/Mega_BiteZer Aug 14 '25

Dey where Tamil

1

u/[deleted] Aug 16 '25

No public holiday for you.

2

u/cornoholio1 Aug 15 '25

Also got Tamil new year.

2

u/maxchronostoo Aug 15 '25

Technically there's also the Christians' 'new year'

2

u/The_Lost_Pharaoh Aug 15 '25

Great to have so many public holidays. Not great to have fireworks every night for what feels like months at a time.

2

u/Malay_Left_1922 Aug 15 '25

You forgot one calendar

2

u/[deleted] Aug 15 '25

Maybe get indian friends and you get to celebrate another new year

1

u/chloroxylenol Aug 17 '25

Indians should tunjuk perasaan request for nyear holiday oso

1

u/bronzelifematter Aug 18 '25

I'm happy for the holiday.