Buzz over Johor 'changing weekend'

KUALA LUMPUR - Will Johor change its weekend to Friday and Saturday from the current Saturday and Sunday, or will it not?

Malaysian cyberspace is abuzz with widespread but unconfirmed talk that the Johor state government is considering changing the state's weekend from next year onwards, amid concerns that it could affect foreign investments.

Since early this week, some netizens have posted what appeared to be confidential minutes of a state government officials' meeting that took place more than a month ago, which contained the proposed change.

State government sources said a decision has yet to be made as the government is still collecting feedback from various departments on the possible impact it could have on the administration.

But rumours are now rife that the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ismail Sultan Iskandar, could announce his wish to change the state's weekend during his birthday address next Saturday, which would be subsequently agreed to by the state's executive council led by Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

The Menteri Besar's office has declined to confirm the speculation. "The decision lies with the palace," a spokesman told The Straits Times on Friday.

Opposition state assemblymen have voiced their concerns about the speculated move at assembly meetings. They say it would hamper businesses and investments, especially in the Iskandar region - a massive economic zone with residential, commercial and industrial projects - which is aimed at attracting foreign investments, including from Singapore.

Currently, Johor receives the highest amount of foreign investments coming into the country with RM6.6 billion (S$2.6 billion) out of a total of RM18.8 billion for Malaysia for the period of January to August this year.

"We will surely lose out to Penang and Selangor as they have more business-friendly policies and infrastructure," said Mr Ee Chin Li, an opposition Democratic Action Party assemblyman.

It could also affect the lifestyle of thousands of Johoreans who work in Singapore, said Ms Janice Chung, an accounts executive who lives in the state capital Johor Baru but commutes to Singapore for work. "Our family time will be compromised as my children will have to go to school on Sundays, when it is my rest day."

Before 1994, the state's weekend had followed the Muslim calendar, with work days from Sunday to Thursday. This is similar to Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, which have large Malay-Muslim populations, to encourage more of them to attend Friday afternoon prayers.

Johor has one of the largest Malay-Muslim populations in the country, with close to 60 per cent of its 3.4 million people being Muslim.

But the policy was changed by then Menteri Besar Muhyiddin Yassin, now the Deputy Prime Minister, to make the business environment friendlier and attract investment.

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