Johor's Saturday-Sunday weekend change a boon for families, businesses

JOHOR BAHRU – The shift to a Saturday-Sunday weekend in Johor has garnered support from various groups, including parents, youth and business organisations. They believe that standardising the weekend – it was at one time Saturday and Sunday before it became Friday and Saturday – will enable better family plans, while businesses anticipate improved cooperation and coordination between the state government and federal agencies operating outside the southern state.

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JOHOR BAHRU – The shift to a Saturday-Sunday weekend in Johor has garnered support from various groups, including parents, youth and business organisations.

They believe that standardising the weekend – it was at one time Saturday and Sunday before it became Friday and Saturday – will enable better family plans, while businesses anticipate improved cooperation and coordination between the state government and federal agencies operating outside the southern state.

Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Ibrahim said on Oct 7 that the weekend will be changed back to Saturday and Sunday from January 2025.

On Jan 1, 2014, Johor had changed its 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.

Cleaning supervisor S. Srikanth, 48, welcomed the latest news, noting that it would allow him to spend more quality time with his two children aged 11 and five.

“My wife works in Singapore as a factory operator and is usually off on Saturdays and Sundays, and soon I will be as well, since I work in Johor Bahru,” he said.

“Previously, we could spend time with our kids only on Saturdays. It was quite a challenge taking care of them on Fridays when they were home. Now, I’m optimistic that things will improve, with two full days to spend together.