The Johor government has agreed to give a special release from duty on July 10 to civil servants in the state if Hari Raya Aidilfitri is declared on July 6.

Johor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin made the announcement at a breaking of fast with the state media at his residence in Saujana in Johor Baru last night.

“In respect of the public holiday declared by the federal government, I am pleased to announce the Johor state government will also take the same approach in giving a public holiday.

“Thus, the holiday that falls on Friday, July 8, will be brought to Sunday, July 10,” he said.

Since 2014, Johor’s weekend is on Friday and Saturday, and following that the holiday on Friday (July 8) will be be brought to Sunday (July 10).

The federal government had recently agreed to give special relief from duty on July 8 to civil servants if Aidifitri is declared on July 6. But chief secretary to the government Ali Hamsa said the special leave would not be applicable if the first day of Adilfitri is declared to be on July 5.

Meanwhile, The Terengganu state government today also declared June 10 (Sunday) as a special leave for government servants if Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls on June 6.

Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the leave was approved for the convenience of government servants, especially those who are not born in the state, in celebrating Hari Raya.

“Today, we agreed to follow the decision of the federal government which declared Friday (June 8) as a public holiday. So, we announce June 10 as a public holiday for Terengganu to facilitate civil servants who are not originally from the state.

“This is because Sunday is a holiday for states in the West Coast. With the holiday, it is more convenient for them to celebrate Hari Raya instead of rushing off to come back here and at the same time ease the problem of traffic congestion,” he said.

He said this to reporters after visiting and giving away contributions from the state government to 2015 SPM outstanding student, Nor Melisa Mohd Yadi, at Kampong Losong, near Kuala Terengganu today, who is physically impaired.

- Bernama