YOURSAY 'The Johor sultan is legally wrong to make such decision. He is only the leader for the Muslims and the Malay race.'

DPM mum over Johor's weekend reversal

Chipmunk: The sudden change to revert back to the yesteryears of 1994 can be described as sad. The world is moving forward and Johor is going backward.

The Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) is unable to open its mouth as this is a royal decree.

The Johor MB has been silent since he was sworn in as the new MB and I wonder if there is such a need for this position when the sultan can make the decision.

Better without MB. Well trust me, this change will create new social issues and may even affect the state economy.

Fair Play: The DPM did the right thing by keeping quiet. If the present MB concurred with the decision of the Sultan of Johor and pass the change into law in the state government, the rakyat (Johor) should accept it.

Debating on the merits or otherwise serves no useful purpose. It's better to wait and see what impact, if any, the change would impact economic development in the state.

Satay Satay: We love Johor for changing all the time.

Remember that in the 70s, it was Friday and Saturday for public holidays. Then, it was changed to Saturday and Sundays in 1994 with new sets of reasons; and now, returned to Fridays and Saturdays.

Anak, Bangsa, Malaysia: The Johor sultan is legally wrong to make such decision. He is only the leader for the Muslims and the Malay race. He cannot interfere in the state's administration.

Hajile Leumas: If in 1994 it was the MB who made the change to Saturday and Sunday as the weekend, does the sultan have the authority to reverse that decision?

If the sultan is making decision for the MB, why is there a need for the MB? Food for thought.

Paul Warren: The Umno politicians are mum. PM Najib Razak only asked everyone to accept it. But fact is this is not going to be good for Iskandar.

It appears that this has been pushed for by the sultan himself. From all the deafening silence that is going on about this it would appear that the royals are beginning to assert themselves.

That being the case, we don't really need an elected menteri besar. Indeed we might be able to get the best man for the job.

But why is it that in Johor, we have this new weekend and in Selangor we had the sultan invoking his powers on the use of ‘Allah'.

Maybe this is to show Umno on who has the real power. After all, during the elections Umno did lean on the palace and used them to prop themselves as defenders of the royal household. So now the royalty shows Umno who is boss.

Phileos: How come the sultan has such administrative power? I thought such administrative power is only in the hands of MB and not sultan.

Amateur: Sin Chew Daily reported that a state exco may propose that commercial firms (entertainment industry, super/hypermarkets except motorbike shops) be closed for two hours on Friday.

This is necessary to prevent Muslims roaming in these premises instead of praying in the mosques.

This seems ridiculous and illogical. Why don't these strayers be reprimanded? You may as well suggest that all modes of transportation be stopped as they generate noise.

Banks undecided on operating hours in Johor

Malaccan: Those who think individual banks can arbitrarily choose their own weekend are obviously still in school.

Let us be aware what is said is not always what is meant. The banks will try to draw courage either through BNM's (Bank Negara Malaysia) endorsement or in numbers, i.e. if all the banks choose the same. They will not risk displeasing the state or the ruler on their own.

With full respect, this logic can be used to argue that the fasting month also be declared a non-working month too to facilitate prayers and fasting of course.

Fairnsquare: Why is everyone making such an issue? The private sector are free to choose and keeping the Sunday off option by the private sector has never been questioned. Logically since banks in the whole country close on Sunday, they can keep the status quo.

Happy Malaysian: The banks and private businesses can continue with the status quo, and if there is any banking that the Muslims want to do, I am sure they will appreciate that on their off day, the banks are open.

In my opinion the banks were at one point looking at seven-day week for retail banking only, but it ended up with a five-day week instead. Let's not make an issue out of everything.

Vijay47: The banks had better remember that the sultan has already made his decision.

If you refuse to follow his proclamation and insist on being open Monday to Friday, that would be treason, and your citizenship and licences can be withdrawn.

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