Johor to review implementation of weekend in the state

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said a decision on the matter will be announced after the state government had found a comprehensive approach.

"(We) hear complaints from the people on the different weekends for the government and private sector, as such the state government would review the matter so that parents and children can rest on the same days.

"I will announce the matter after getting the most practical method to settle the matter," he said after delivering the Johor Menteri Besar's Address at Persada Johor International Convention Centre (PERSADA).

The ceremony which was attended by more than 1,600 state and federal civil servants, was aired live on his official Facebook site.

The Johor state weekend effective January 1, 2014, was moved to Friday and Saturday following a decree of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

He said the change in the weekend was to respect Friday as the start of the week in line with Johor as the earliest state to recognise Islam as the official religion.

Meanwhile, Onn Hafiz in his message focused on security and safety aspects in the state for residents and visitors by improving security with more mobile police vans, and two wheel self-balancing scooters especially at tourist spots.

He said the various news in the social media since the reopening of the borders on April 1 claimed the security level in the state is not safe for residents and visitors.

"Such stories are groundless. Police are always prepared to ensure safety in the state," he said.

Therefore he said all local authorities would be strengthening Urban Safety Programme by increasing the number of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) in towns and tourist areas while improving lighting in hot crime spots, business premises and recreational areas.

He said the voluntary patrol scheme (SRS) would be further empowered with more training and acquisition of equipment to 459 active SRS personnel throughout Johor in the next five years.