KUALA LUMPUR – The state of Johor will revert its weekend rest days to Saturday and Sunday, starting from January 1, 2025.
The Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, announced that the decision was made with the consent and blessing of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, and in consultation with the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ).
Tunku Ismail has directed Johor’s Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, to work alongside the Johor Mufti to discuss and thoroughly review the matter from all perspectives.
“I hope all private companies, government agencies, and related parties will provide adequate time and space for Muslim employees to perform Friday prayers,” Tunku Mahkota Ismail said in a statement posted on his Facebook page today.
Previously, Johor had adopted Saturday and Sunday as the state’s weekend rest days in 1994, under the administration of then-Menteri Besar Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
However, on November 23, 2013, Sultan Ibrahim decreed a change to Friday and Saturday rest days, which took effect on January 1, 2014.
On June 14, 2022, Onn Hafiz indicated that the state government would revisit the weekend schedule following public concerns over the difference between the rest days of the private and public sectors.
The move also aims to ensure that parents and children can enjoy their weekends together. – October 7, 2024