Johor’s Weekend Shift: Back to Saturday adn Sunday
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ISKANDAR PUTERI, MALAYSIA – The start of 2025 brought a meaningful change to the southern Malaysian state of Johor: the return of the conventional Saturday-Sunday weekend. For years, Johor observed a friday-Saturday weekend, a unique arrangement in Malaysia. this shift back to the standard weekend has had a ripple effect, impacting families, businesses, and even cross-border relations with neighboring Singapore.
The change has been met with widespread enthusiasm. shernice Chong, a travel industry executive who commutes daily to Singapore, expressed her delight. “We’ve been waiting for this for years,” she saeid, explaining the previous schedule’s difficulties in coordinating family time with her husband and two children. “We had only one day together as a family. Now we no longer need to be tied up with the school timings.”
The decision to revert to the Saturday-Sunday weekend, announced in october 2024 by the state’s Regent, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, considered the desires of Johor residents for increased family time. the move also aligns with ongoing economic development projects, including the Special financial Zone in Forest City and the upcoming Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JSSEZ), designed to facilitate cross-border trade and movement.
The impact extends beyond family life. Patrick Teo, a property sales director and father of three, welcomed the change, stating, “This change is definitely welcome. We plan to go to the beach because we finally have two full weekend days with the kids.” Similarly, Nur Sakinah mazlan, a mother of two, highlighted the newfound ability to travel with her family, something previously constrained by scheduling conflicts. “We were not able to do this before. The kids’ schedule would be too tight to accommodate a drive up north and back,” she explained.
The shift also streamlines operations between the public and private sectors, and among Malaysia’s 13 states.Abdul Rahman Mohammad, a civil servant, noted that the change improves coordination with private sector partners and the national government in Kuala Lumpur. The Friday-Saturday weekend,implemented in 2014 as a mark of respect for Islam,presented logistical challenges for many.
While Johor’s experience is unique, the challenges of balancing religious observance with economic and social needs resonate globally. The decision highlights the ongoing conversation about work-life balance and the importance of considering diverse perspectives when establishing public policy.
Johor’s Weekend Shift: A Malaysian State Redefines the Workweek
In a significant move impacting both the public and private sectors, the Malaysian state of Johor has officially shifted its weekend to Friday and Saturday, beginning in January 2025.This change, announced in November 2024 by Johor’s Menteri besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, mandates a two-hour midday break on Fridays to accommodate Muslim employees’ prayer obligations.
The transition has already begun to reshape the state’s business landscape.Early reports indicate a noticeable shift in consumer behavior, particularly within the food service industry.
Rossco Cafe,located near the state legislative assembly in Iskandar Puteri,experienced a 15 percent surge in lunch sales on January 3rd,the first Friday of the new weekend. “There was a 15 percent increase in lunch sales, with more civil servants in the offices nearby,” confirmed owner Mohd Khairil Kassim, 45.
The impact extends beyond lunch hours. In Johor Bahru, street food vendor Fakratul asyraf, 29, reported a significant increase in Friday and Saturday evening business. ”We struggled to cope on Friday, with customers waiting an hour for their orders. I’ve since called two more friends to help me,” he shared.
The shift hasn’t been universally embraced. According to Teh Kee Sin, an advisor to the South Johor Small and Medium Enterprises Association, 90 percent of SMEs in the state had already maintained a Saturday-Sunday weekend schedule, even after a similar change was considered in 2014. However, he expressed optimism about the long-term effects.”I think with the JSSEZ coming up, the new move would be beneficial for companies across the board,” he noted.
while the long-term economic consequences remain to be seen, the immediate impact on Johor’s businesses and workers is undeniable. The change reflects a growing global conversation about work-life balance and the accommodation of diverse religious practices within the workplace.
The shift to a Friday-Saturday weekend in Johor offers a compelling case study for other regions considering similar adjustments to accommodate religious observances and improve work-life integration. The experience of Johor’s businesses and workers will be closely watched as the new system settles in.
Johor’s Weekend Shift: back to Saturda and Sunday
A Conversation with Dr. Fatimah Ali, Sociologist and Southeast Asia Expert
After years with a unique Friday-Saturday weekend schedule, the Malaysian state of Johor has reverted to the customary Saturday-Sunday weekend. This change, impacting families, businesses, and regional relations, has been met with widespread enthusiasm. To better understand the implications of this shift, we spoke with Dr. Fatimah Ali, a sociologist and Southeast Asia expert.
Back to Tradition: Understanding the Change
Senior Editor: Dr. Ali, the decision to revert to the Saturday-Sunday weekend in Johor has been applauded by many. Can you shed some light on the reasons behind this meaningful shift?
Dr. Fatimah Ali: Certainly. The initial shift to a Friday-Saturday weekend in 2014 was intended to accommodate Muslim prayer obligations. However, it created logistical challenges for many residents, particularly those with families and those engaged in cross-border relationships with Singapore.This reversion to the standard weekend aims to address those concerns and align Johor with the rest of Malaysia and neighboring countries.
Family Time: A Renewed Emphasis?
Senior Editor: It truly seems family time is a major factor driving this change. How do you see this impacting Johor’s social fabric?
Dr. Fatimah Ali: Absolutely. Many families found the Friday-Saturday weekend disruptive, as it limited shared family time. The return to a traditional weekend provides more opportunities for family outings, vacations, and quality time together. This emphasis on family life could potentially strengthen social bonds and community cohesion.
business and Economics: The Ripple effect
Senior Editor: What are the potential economic ramifications of this shift, especially considering the involvement of Johor in major regional economic projects like the JSSEZ?
Dr. Fatimah Ali: There’s likely to be an adjustment period for businesses, but the long-term economic impact remains to be seen. Aligning with the standard weekend could simplify cross-border collaboration, attract foreign investment, and streamline operations for companies working across diverse regions.
looking Ahead:
Senior Editor: Dr. Ali, what’s your overall assessment of this change?
Dr. Fatimah Ali: I beleive this shift reflects a careful consideration of diverse needs and priorities. By prioritizing family time, economic stability, and regional cooperation, Johor has made a decision that is likely to have a positive impact on both its residents and its economic future.