ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor has announced an extension of the Friday rest period for public and private sectors to two hours, effective from January 1 next year. This change comes from the current allowance of one hour and thirty minutes.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi stated that the decision aims to facilitate Muslim employees in performing their Friday prayers more comfortably. This extension coincides with Johor’s weekend holidays transitioning to Saturday and Sunday.
On October 7, the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, mandated the realignment of weekend holidays to begin from January 1, 2025. This change has been approved by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, and considers input from the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ).
Tunku Mahkota Ismail has also directed that all private companies, government bodies, and related entities ensure ample time and space for Muslim employees to perform their Friday prayers. The realignment of weekend
holidays will impact all residents of Johor, including 587,343 students and 1.948 million employees across government and private sectors.
In addressing this change, Onn Hafiz mentioned that the Johor State Education Department, in collaboration with JAINJ and the Johor Mufti Department, will work towards increasing the number of suraus and available spaces in schools to accommodate male Muslim students’ Friday prayers.
Furthermore, the Menteri Besar emphasized the state government’s commitment to enhancing productivity and service delivery systems. This includes boosting digital services by increasing online transaction options and extending critical counter-service operating hours, even during breaks, to standardize hours across all state, federal, and local government departments and agencies.
Onn Hafiz added that if these improvements progress smoothly, the state government, with the approval of Tunku Mahkota Ismail and the blessing of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, may consider shifting to a four-and-a-h
alf-day workweek without reducing the overall public sector working hours.