Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim has denied claims he was willing to leave Johor to live in Kelantan over a decision to revert to a Saturday-Sunday weekend.
In a brief statement last night, Hassan dismissed as false a viral post shared on a WhatsApp group called “Kopi0nasilemak”, which read: “Cuti hari Ahad: Saya sedia keluar dari Johor tinggal di Kelantan.” (Sunday holiday: I'm ready to leave Johor and live in Kelantan).
The PKR lawmaker said he was going nowhere and will continue to serve his constituents.
"I, Hassan Abdul Karim, have never made a statement that I am ready to leave Johor to live in Kelantan.
"I am an MP for Pasir Gudang. I will serve the people of Pasir Gudang and stay in Johor.
"I am a loyal Johor citizen. A loyal Malaysian citizen. I respect the institutions of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy," Hassan added.
On Friday, Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim told those who were not pleased with the decision to revert to a Saturday-Sunday weekend to move to other states.
“If there are parties upset or dissatisfied due to personal agendas, want to provoke the rakyat or have political interests, you are welcome to move to states that still have Friday and Saturday as weekends,” he said on Facebook without mentioning names.
Holy Friday
On Oct 8, Hassan criticised the decision saying that Friday is a holy day in Islam and highly regarded by Muslims worldwide.
“Maintaining Friday as a weekend day to honour the holy day for Muslims in Johor would not make the state be left behind (economically).
“Reverting to Sunday as a weekend and making Friday a working day was something the state had done a few years back.
“However, it did not last long because the Muslims in Johor did not support the move,” he was reported as saying.
Not challenging anyone’s authority
In his recent statement, Hassan clarified that while he had the right to voice his opinion on the matter, he was not challenging anyone's authority.
"As a Johor citizen, I respect the decision of the acting sultan of Johor regarding the Sunday holiday starting January 2025.
"But as an MP, I express my personal views. I respect the right to speak in a democratic Malaysia without intending to challenge anyone," he added.
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