Wan Junaidi will contribute significantly, says Premier

KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has congratulated Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar for the latter’s appointment as the eighth Sarawak Governor.

He said the former Senate President has the potential to make a significant contribution to Sarawak, given his extensive experience in administration.

“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has consented to appoint the new yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak (TYT).

“Of course, with his vast experiences, he can contribute to us here in Sarawak. He has both experience in federal and state government, therefore, let’s us congratulate him for his appointment,” Abang Johari said.

He said this when met by reporters after officiating at the Saberkas’ 50th Golden Jubilee celebration at Pullman Hotel on Friday evening.

On Friday, Wan Junaidi received his appointment letter, or watikah, from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara.

During the same ceremony, he was honoured with the nation’s highest accolade, the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (SSM), and bestowed with the title ‘Tun’.

Having served seven terms as an MP, Wan Junaidi was first elected to Parliament in 1990, representing the Batang Lupar parliamentary constituency. In 2004, he secured the Santubong parliamentary seat and successfully defended it for four consecutive terms until the 2022 general election (GE15).

Throughout his tenure in public service, he held various ministerial positions, including Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat in 2008, Deputy Home Minister in 2013, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in 2015, and Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives in 2020.

His most recent Cabinet role was as the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law), a position he held from 2021. He did not seek re-election for the subsequent term.

Wan Junaidi assumed the role of Senate President on June 19, 2023, until his resignation to make way for his appointment as Sarawak Governor.