KUCHING: It is learned that Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar does not want to defend the Santubong parliamentary seat for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the 15th general election (GE15).
FMT was informed by reliable sources that the four-term Santubong MP requested not to be fielded as a candidate and proposed that his party, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), nominate his political secretary Syed Hamzah Syed Paie instead.
Meanwhile, Nancy Shukri has also been tipped to contest for Wan Junaidi’s seat in GE15, with a party source saying the former Batang Sadong MP was the right person to develop the constituency into a leading tourist destination.
“The caretaker tourism, arts and culture minister’s experience will come in useful for Santubong,” the source said.
The final decision lies with GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg, who is also the PBB president. However, Abang Johari told reporters recently to “ask him (Wan Junaidi) first” when queried about the matter.
Should the law minister bow out of GE15, it is widely speculated that PBB members will recommend the party leadership propose making Wan Junaidi a senator, so he can be included in the next Cabinet.
The possibility of the former Santubong MP, who has represented the constituency since 2004, not defending his seat has surprised several party members and business leaders.
Batu Lintang PBB secretary Hadzman Johnny said Wan Junaidi had contributed a lot to the state and nation as a federal minister, citing the enactment of the anti-hopping law as an example.
Hailing Wan Junaidi as “perhaps the best law minister the country has had”, Hadzman added that it would be a waste to let him go now as there were still other laws that needed to be studied and passed.
While he was supportive of a senatorship and Cabinet post for Wan Junaidi after GE15, Hadzman pointed out that this might not be possible if Pakatan Harapan were to form the federal government.
“What good would it do if he is a senator but not made a minister?”
Meanwhile, the Federation of Chinese Associations of Sarawak president Richard Wee said a senatorship and an eventual Cabinet position would be appropriate for a man who “has contributed so much and has still a lot to do for the state and country”.
Wee added that Wan Junaidi should preferably be given the law portfolio again, but also noted that this would only be possible if Barisan Nasional won GE15.
“What if another coalition comes to power? Will they consider including him in the Cabinet?” - FMT
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