6 October 2026
Resignation Notice Period Malaysia: How Long & Final Pay
How much notice must you give to resign in Malaysia? Employment Act minimums (4, 6 or 8 weeks), how final pay is worked out, and what to put in your letter.
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In Malaysia, the notice you must give when you resign is set by your employment contract. If the contract does not say, the Employment Act 1955 sets a minimum notice period that depends on how long you have worked for the employer.
Minimum notice under the Employment Act
The table below shows the minimum notice where the contract is silent. The same notice applies to both the employee and the employer, and it must be given in writing.
| Length of service | Minimum notice |
|---|---|
| Less than 2 years | 4 weeks |
| 2 years to less than 5 years | 6 weeks |
| 5 years or more | 8 weeks |
Which notice period applies to you?
Your contract comes first. If it states a notice period, which is commonly one to three months, follow that one. Notice is counted from the day you give it, and the day you give notice is included in the period. If you leave with less notice than required, you may have to pay wages in lieu for the shortfall, so check your contract.
What to include in a resignation letter
Keep it short and dated: your name and position, a clear statement that you are resigning, the date you are giving notice, your last working day, and your signature. Keep a copy and ask HR to acknowledge receipt in writing.
Final salary when you leave mid-month
Your last month's pay is normally pro-rated for the days you worked. Under the Employment Act method, the monthly salary is divided by the actual number of calendar days in that month and multiplied by the days worked. For example, with a salary of RM4,000 and a last day of 15 September (a 30-day month), the pay is RM4,000 ÷ 30 × 15 = RM2,000. Use the prorated salary calculator to work out your own figure.
Unused leave and other final pay
Whether unused annual leave is paid out when you resign depends mainly on your contract and company policy. Ask HR for a written breakdown of your final pay so you can check each item.
If your employer ends your job
When the employer ends the contract, the same minimum notice applies. If the job ends because of redundancy, separate termination benefits may apply under the Employment (Termination and Lay-Off Benefits) Regulations 1980.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice do I need to give to resign in Malaysia?
Whatever your employment contract says. If the contract is silent, the Employment Act sets a minimum of 4 weeks for under 2 years of service, 6 weeks for 2 to under 5 years, and 8 weeks for 5 years or more.
Is the notice period the same for the employer and the employee?
Yes. The same length of notice applies to both sides, and the notice must be in writing.
How is my last month's salary calculated if I resign mid-month?
It is pro-rated: monthly salary divided by the actual number of calendar days in the month, multiplied by the days you worked. Our prorated salary calculator does this for you.