https://asklegal.my/p/force-workers-annual-...panies-malaysia

It might feel like a dream come true if your boss asks you to take a day off or two from work. However, forcing an employee to take a day off may not be legal in Malaysia. We managed to clarify this with the Malaysian Human Resource Ministry, and here’s what they had to say:

“...An employer cannot force his employee to take annual leave on the...employer’s own accord.” – email translated by AskLegal.my

So, you’re entitled to your annual leaves. This is completely different from unpaid leaves where you don’t get paid for it. Perhaps this case would help illustrate the statement above better:

In Kesatuan Pekerja-pekerja Continental Tyre PJ Malaysia Sdn Bhd v Continental Tyre PJ Malaysia (2015), Continental forced their workers to take annual leave during a plant shut down. However, Continental did not pay the workers their wages to go on leave. Basically, they were forced to take unpaid leave (which is illegal).

The court decided that Continental had the right to shut down the plant, but did not have the right to force their workers to take annual leave during those days. Therefore, the company was ordered to either:

Pay the workers for the days they had not been paid; or,
Grant them 2 days of annual leave from the date of the court decision.

Actually paid or unpaid also cannot de...

but usually if it is paid leave, at least employees will just halalkan je. tolak ansur sikit.

Ayam confused. Is forcing staff to take annual leave considered as paying or not paying them?

Issue is when you don't have enough AL to tolak, yet company forces you to take unpaid leave. Like in this case (first post) - those without AL kena potong gaji when they are the ones being asked not to go to work.