Azalina: Johor’s proposal for four-and-a-half day work week needs valid reasons to implement

KOTA TINGGI, Nov 24 — Johor’s proposal to implement a four-and-a-half-day work week hinges on the state government’s rationale, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

She said the state government must have valid reasons for the proposal but declined to elaborate further, citing a lack of details on the plan.

However, the Pengerang MP expressed her personal view that technological advancements and rapid development have transformed traditional working norms.

“Nowadays, no one strictly works eight hours a day. Many people work beyond that because of technology, like smartphones, enabling work outside standard hours,” she said, adding that work hours often depend on the nature of a profession.

“Certain jobs demand more than eight to 10 hours a day, while some can be performed remotely. As we head into 2025, we must adopt a more open-minded approach, especially with technology evolving so rapidly,” she told reporters after a community dinner in Pengerang last night.