Johor to Revert to Saturday and Sunday as Weekends from January 1
PETALING JAYA: The decision to revert Johor’s weekend to Saturday and Sunday reflects the desire by Johoreans to spend more time with their family, says the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
Background: The Shift to Friday and Saturday
In 2014, Sultan Ibrahim changed the state’s weekend to Friday and Saturday as a mark of respect for Friday’s importance to Muslims and as recognition of Islam as the state’s official religion. This move was a departure from the original weekend of Saturday and Sunday, which had been in effect since before Malaysia’s independence in 1957.
The Change Back to Saturday and Sunday
After a 10-year hiatus, Tunku Ismail announced that Johor would revert its rest days to Saturday and Sunday from January 1. This decision was made after consulting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, the Johor Islamic religious council, the state government, government agencies, and Johoreans.
Positive Economic Impact
Tunku Ismail believes that the change will have a positive economic impact on the state. He said in a Facebook post, "The change will benefit small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the tourism industry, as it will allow them to operate seven days a week."
Correction to Previous Decisions Made
The decision to revert to the original weekend marks a correction to the 2014 change. At the time, Sultan Ibrahim had said that the shift to Friday and Saturday was a reversion to the state’s original weekend, which had been in effect since before Merdeka.
Current State of Other States
Other states currently observing the Friday and Saturday weekend include Terengganu, Kelantan, and Kedah. This decision only affects Johor, and those who are unsatisfied with the change are free to move to states that still maintain the traditional weekend.
FAQs
- Q: Why is Johor reverting to Saturday and Sunday as its weekend?
A: The decision was made to allow Johoreans to spend more time with their family and to have a positive economic impact on the state. - Q: How did the decision come about?
A: It was made after consulting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, the Johor Islamic religious council, the state government, government agencies, and Johoreans. - Q: What does this mean for businesses in Johor?
A: The change is expected to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the tourism industry, as they will be able to operate seven days a week.