Johor Crown Prince says those unhappy with Saturday-Sunday weekends can move to other states

The regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has told those in Johor unhappy with the move to a Saturday-Sunday weekend due to personal agendas, political interests, or a "wish to provoke the Rakyat", to move to a different state.

Saturday is the new Friday

Ismail had earlier announced on Oct. 7 that weekends in state of Johor would be changed from Friday-Saturday back to a Saturday-Sunday schedule.

The change to Friday-Saturday had first been implemented in 2014 in order to facilitate Friday prayers for Muslims in the state.

But it appears that the move has received some backlash as on Oct. 10, Ismail posted a message on his social media explaining his decision.

Ismail said the reversion to Saturday-Sunday was "in consideration of matters related to the people of Johor's wishes of spending more time with their families and children".

Economic impact of alignment

The move also considered the positive economic impact of alignment with the "implementation of development projects" that uplift Johor.

That alignment would in turn being benefits to the state and its people.

Both Malaysia's federal government and Singapore, two of the most significant economic contributors to Johor operate on a Saturday-Sunday weekend.

Singapore and Malaysia are negotiating a potentially economically game-changing Special Economic Zone in Johor, which the state's Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) Onn Hafiz Ghazi expects to be signed by the end of the year.

The New Straits Times quoted Johor's MB as sharing similar sentiments, saying that he was confident the decision would benefit Johor's people, and allow them to spend more "quality time" with their families.

He said the decision should not be politicised by anyone, and urged all parties against speculation or statements that "could disrupt harmony in Johor".

You can always move

Ismail reiterated that the change had received the agreement of the Sultan of Johor, currently the Malaysian Agong (king), and the Johor State Islamic Religious Council, the state government, its agencies, and the Rakyat (people).

He then warned against those who were not only "upset or dissatisfied" with the changes "due to personal agendas", but wanted to "provoke" the people of Johor or have political interest.

He then invited them to move to other Malaysian states that still operated on the basis of a Friday-Saturday weekend.

For those interested in such a move, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu are the three states that operate in such a way.

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Top image via HRH Crown Prince of Johor/Facebook