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Johor Families Celebrate Return of Weekend Breaks

Johor’s Weekend Shift: Back to Saturday adn Sunday

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.

Madam Nur Sakinah Mazlan and her family having⁣ a meal ‍at a ⁣highway rest stop.
Madam Nur ​Sakinah Mazlan and her family enjoying a meal ‍at a highway rest stop during a family ​trip.‌

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.

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