Join request for weekly leave on Friday, Saturday to be maintained in Johor
JOHOR BAHRU: The Coordinating Council of the Association of Johor Malay NGOs (Gabang) requested that the weekly holiday on Friday and Saturday continue to be maintained in the state and not be changed back to Saturday and Sunday.
However, its President, Zaini Atan said, it is up to the wisdom of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in evaluating the matter and his party will comply with any decision made.
He said, the weekly holiday on Friday and Saturday also symbolizes respect for Friday as the ruler of all days and the recognition of Islam as the state’s official religion.
“We believe that the weekly holidays on Fridays and Saturdays which are enforced at this time will provide prosperity for the people of Johor, especially those who are Muslim.
“The holiday on Friday, in general, makes it easier for Muslims to perform Friday prayers and should be maintained.
“Whereas if there is a holiday on Saturday and Sunday, Muslims will be chased, especially for government employees who work half a day on Friday.
“In addition, holidays on Friday and Saturday are seen to benefit the state’s economy. For example, local people will shop on Friday and Saturday while Singaporeans shop on Sunday. So, there are three days when the business sector in Johor is active.
“This will prevent congestion because Johor people will not collide with Singaporeans who come to shop here on Sunday,” he said in a press conference at Taman Melodies, here on Thursday.
Zaini said the coalition’s proposal for the government to maintain the weekly holiday was not influenced by any party or political party.
In the meantime, he explained, in order to coordinate the current weekend holidays, his party suggested that the private sector follow the government’s steps to have holidays on Fridays and Saturdays.
Despite this, more than 100 non-governmental organizations under the umbrella of Gabung with a membership of more than 200,000 throughout the state will comply with any decision of Sultan Ibrahim in determining whether the weekly holiday will be maintained or changed again.
He hoped that Sultan Ibrahim’s decision would not be disputed by any party and that everyone would have to obey and comply.
On 23 November 2013, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, in conjunction with his 55th Birthday, reportedly ordered that Johor’s weekend holidays be changed to Fridays and Saturdays.
His Majesty said, the change came into effect on January 1, 2014 to make it easier for the people of this state to worship peacefully.
Meanwhile, last Tuesday, Sultan Ibrahim said that he would not be hasty in making a decision about the state government’s proposal to change the state’s weekdays back to Saturday and Sunday.
source – Aiman Hakeem Awazmin
