The Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, announced that the state will switch its weekends back to Saturday and Sunday starting from January 1, 2025. This decision follows the royal approval of the state’s Ruler, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, who is also the King of Malaysia.
Tunku Ismail revealed the decision in a Facebook post today, stating that it was reached after consulting with the Johor Islamic Religious Council (JAINJ) and other relevant stakeholders.
“I have instructed Johor Chief Minister Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and the Johor Mufti to thoroughly discuss and examine all aspects of this matter,” said Tunku Ismail. “I hope that the private sector, government, and relevant parties will provide enough time and flexibility for Muslim workers to perform their Friday prayers.”
The new arrangement will replace the existing Friday-Saturday weekend system, which has been in place since January 1, 2014. This change comes in response to increasing feedback from sectors such as education, industry, and banking, with the goal of aligning Johor’s weekend schedule with the federal government’s Saturday-Sunday system.
The switch to a Friday-Saturday weekend in 2014 was implemented following a decree by Sultan Ibrahim, made in honor of his 55th birthday.
The review of Johor’s current Friday-Saturday weekend rest days was first reported on June 14, 2022, following public complaints. Subsequently, on June 20, Malay Mail reported that the state government was considering a new two-and-a-half-day weekend, with Friday as a half-day and Saturday and Sunday as full rest days. According to the 2022 report, it was anticipated that various sectors would need approximately three months to adjust their payroll systems, work schedules, and rosters before the new system could be implemented.
In Malaysia, the states of Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu also recognize Friday and Saturday as their official weekend rest days.
Source: Malay Mail
