Johor employees will get 2-hour break for Friday prayers from 2025

A 90-minute Friday rest period will be extended to two hours for all employees in Johor, across both private and public sectors.

The 30-minute extension will begin on Jan. 1, 2025, along with the state's rest day shift to Saturday and Sunday.

Chief Minister of Johor Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the new two-hour period would allow Muslims to perform their Friday prayers comfortably, The Star reported.

In line with the change, all government departments and agencies in Johor will align with the Federal Government’s schedule, he declared during the Johor Budget 2025 at Johor's administrative centre, Kota Iskandar on Nov. 21.

The Education Department and Islamic Religious Department will also be working with the Mufti Department on the change, including ensuring male Muslim students perform their Friday prayers. Spaces for prayer in school areas could be used for this.

Onn Hafiz said the change in the weekend would positively impact the state economy without compromising the sanctity of the religion.

He added the change would also give families more quality time to spend their weekends together.

Since 2014, Johor's rest days were Friday and Saturday.

The new change to Saturday and Sunday was announced in October this year.

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