KUALA LUMPUR: Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Johor's decision to revert weekend off days to Saturday and Sunday starting next year is logical and will have a positive impact on the state's economy.
In the latest episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast, the former Umno Youth chief did not mince his words when he described critics of such a move as jumud (backward).
Khairy added that for a state to accelerate development, it must align its weekdays and weekends between the public and private sectors."
"We agree with the move. It is logical. You have to be in line with the private sector.
"More so, we have SEZ (Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone).
"Those who did not agree (with the decision) are jumud," he said.
His co-host Shahril Sufian Hamdan said the decision to revert to Saturday-Sunday weekend will not affect the status of Islam in the country.
"This decision will not downgrade the ways we celebrate Islam at the highest level," he said.
The Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, last week, announced that Johor will revert to weekend off days on Saturday and Sunday starting Jan 1.
"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 on Oct 7.
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.
Iskandar Investment Bhd president and chief executive officer, Datuk Idzham Mohd Hashim, said the weekend realignment would benefit the proposed Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and foster a more business-friendly environment.
He added that such a decision would also facilitate smoother business operations and strengthen cross-border trade between Johor and Singapore.