Johor Ruler to consider all views before deciding on changes to weekend rest days

JOHOR BARU: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar says he will not be rushed into making a decision on a possible change to the Johor weekend.

He said he would need to consider all the positives and negatives of the state government’s proposal to change the state’s weekend back to Saturday and Sunday from the current Friday and Saturday.

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“I will be taking into account and perusing all viewpoints on the matter.

“There is no need for any hullabaloo or politicising of the issue.

“While I deliberate, I want the government to focus on Johor’s economic growth for the benefit of the people,” he said Tuesday (Aug 23) via a post on his official Facebook page.

He added that the state government could send him any proposal, but he would need to consider and peruse each one thoroughly before coming to any decision.

He requested all parties to stop speculating on the issue or from urging him to make a quick announcement.

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“I will make an announcement when I am completely sure and confident that it will be the best decision for the good of Johor,” Sultan Ibrahim said.

From Jan 1, 2014 Sultan Ibrahim changed the state weekend to Friday and Saturday, as a mark of respect for Friday’s importance to Muslims, and in recognition of Islam as the state’s religion.

The change was in fact a reversion to the state’s original weekend in effect during its days as an Unfederated Malay State.

Johor only switched to a Saturday and Sunday weekend in 1994, when it was implemented during Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s tenure as Mentri Besar.