Johor is reviewing its Friday-Saturday weekends

ISKANDAR PUTERI - The Johor state government has yet to make any decision on the implementation of the weekend holidays, which is currently set for Friday and Saturday.

Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said any decision cannot be made recklessly because the matter was still being studied and involves various stakeholders apart from having to get the consent of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

"The coordination and talk of weekends is being widely discussed, even more so by the people of Johor since many parents who work in the private sector can only spend one day with their children.

"This is due to the difference in weekend holidays since 2014.

“Adjustments need to be made so that parents can spend more time with their beloved families," he said.

Onn Hafiz said this in his speech during the winding up session of the 15th Johor State Assembly first seating in Kota Iskandar here, on Sunday.

Onn Hafiz, who is also the Machap State Assemblyman, said all opinions on the adjustment of weekends in Johor was well received.

"Various suggestions have been given, some want it to remain Friday and Saturday so that it is easy to go to prayers. Some want it to be changed to Saturday and Sunday to be in line with the Federal government.

"Some want a longer Friday break, some want two and a half days off and some even want three days off a week," he said.

On June 14, Onn Hafiz when delivering a special message at the Persada International Convention Center (Persada) stated that the state government will review the implementation of the weekend holiday.

He said the study would be done following complaints from the community about the difference between private and government holidays as well as to ensure that parents and children can rest on the same day.

On Nov 23, 2013, Sultan Ibrahim ordered the change of the Johor state weekend to Friday and Saturday effective Jan 1, 2014.

The decision was made in line with the state of Johor that was the earliest to recognise Islam as the official religion and was made to make it easier for Muslim men to perform Friday prayers in a seamless and unhurried manner.

Johor had previously made Friday and Saturday a weekend holiday before 1994.

Other states such as Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu also practice Friday and Saturday holidays as weekends.