KUALA LUMPUR: Johor will revert to weekend off days on Saturday and Sunday starting Jan 1, the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim announced.
"Following consent and blessing from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and after considering the views of the Johor Islamic Religious Council (JAINJ), I would like to announce that starting Jan 1, 2025, Johor's weekend off days will be changed to Saturday and Sunday," Tunku Ismail wrote on his Facebook page today.
He added that he has decreed both Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and the Johor mufti to discuss and study every angle and aspect regarding this matter.
"I hope that the private sector, the government and related parties allow sufficient time and space for Muslim workers to perform Friday prayers accordingly," Tunku Ismail said.
Johor has been observing Friday and Saturday as its official weekend since January 2014.
Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu also have Friday and Saturday as their weekend rest days.
In June 2022, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said that there were complaints from the public about the difference in rest days between the government and the private sector.
The Malay Mail reported in August the same year that Onn Hafiz presented the state government's findings regarding the proposed Saturday and Sunday reversion to Sultan Ibrahim for the latter's consideration.