Johor weekend shift will impact 2.5 million people, says MB

JOHOR BARU: The shift to a Saturday-Sunday weekend will impact about 2.5 million people statewide, including 587,343 school students, according to Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (pic).

The rest of the 1.94 million workforce consists of government and private sector employees.

“In line with the Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim’s decree, the state and I will examine the weekend change from all aspects,” he said, noting that they would also consider suitable timings for Muslims to perform Friday prayers.

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He added that aligning the weekend would reduce scheduling conflicts between the government and private sectors.

“This change will also allow families to spend more time together and enhance cross-border economic activities,” he continued.

Meanwhile, Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah Wee Tse also welcomed the weekend switch to Saturday and Sunday starting Jan 1 next year.

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He mentioned this would benefit business activities, particularly those outside Johor and internationally.

“I am confident this will boost competitiveness among Johor companies,” he said, adding that this decision would also improve family quality time.

Puah expressed hope that, like national and international practices, the Johor government would declare Jan 1 a public holiday to facilitate social and economic activities.