The decision to revert Johor’s weekend to Saturday and Sunday starting January 1, 2025, has ignited controversy, with Pasir Gudang Member of Parliament, Hassan Abdul Karim, voicing strong opposition. He likened the move to following the footsteps of British colonial rulers, arguing that it undermines Johor’s unique cultural and religious heritage.
In a Facebook post, Hassan emphasized that Friday holds deep significance in Islam and is a revered day for Muslims around the world. Johor, a state with a rich Islamic tradition, has historically observed Friday as a public holiday, a practice that aligns with its cultural and political history. Hassan pointed out that the earlier attempt to shift the weekend to Sunday, mirroring the Western workweek, was met with resistance from the Muslim community, leading to its reversal. He believes the current decision risks repeating the same mistake.
“Johor will not fall behind if we maintain Friday as a holiday, giving the respect that Muslims in Johor deserve,” Hassan stated. He stressed that the decision to make Friday a working day in the past did not last because it was not supported by the people of Johor, particularly the Muslims, who view Friday as a sacred day for prayer and reflection.
Non-Muslim residents, according to Hassan, have also come to accept and understand Johor’s distinct weekend, which reflects the state’s deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions. He argued that Johor’s Friday-Saturday weekend is not merely a matter of convenience but is embedded in the state’s history. Changing it to a Saturday-Sunday format, in his view, is akin to erasing a part of Johor’s identity and forgetting its unique heritage.
The upcoming shift in weekend holidays has been approved by the Johor royal family, with the Acting Sultan of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, announcing the decision earlier this week. The move was made with the consent of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim and involved consultation with the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ). Tunku Ismail has also instructed the Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, to engage with the Johor Mufti and other relevant authorities to ensure the change is implemented smoothly and considers all perspectives.
While Hassan acknowledges the authority of the Johor royalty in making such decisions, he expressed his discontent as a native of Johor. “With all humility, as a Malay, a Muslim, and a proud Johorean, I respectfully disagree with the decision to replace Friday with Sunday as a holiday, a practice reminiscent of British colonial rule,” he wrote.
The change is expected to affect nearly 2 million workers in both the public and private sectors, as well as over half a million students in Johor. Proponents argue that aligning Johor’s weekends with the rest of the country will streamline business operations and education schedules. However, critics like Hassan worry that it comes at the cost of eroding a distinctive aspect of Johor’s cultural identity.
As the debate continues, many are left questioning whether the benefits of this change outweigh the potential loss of a long-standing tradition that holds both cultural and religious significance.
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