Wan Junaidi appointed new Sarawak governor

Former Dewan Negara president Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has been appointed the eighth Yang Dipertua Negeri Sarawak.

The appointment takes effect today.

He received the instrument of appointment from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah in a ceremony at Balairung Kecil, Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur today.

Also in attendance at the ceremony was Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

Wan Junaidi, 77, was appointed the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak by Article 1 of the Sarawak Constitution for four years, effective Jan 26, 2024, until Jan 26, 2028.

Wan Junaidi replaces Abdul Taib Mahmud, who held the post for three terms from March 1, 2014.

30-year political career

At the ceremony, Wan Junaidi was also conferred the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara award, which carries the title of Tun.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg and Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof were in attendance.

Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali, Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri and Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni.

Wan Junaidi was born in Kampung Pendam (now Sadong Jaya), Sarawak, on Feb 1, 1946.

He joined the police force in 1964 and was with the Police Field Force from 1968 to 1973, during which he also served in the Rajang Area Security Command.

His political career began in 1990 after winning the Batang Lupar parliamentary seat in the eighth general election, which he defended for the next two terms, before moving to Santubong in the 11th GE in 2004.

He was Santubong MP for four consecutive terms until the general election in 2022.

At the federal level, Wan Junaidi has held several ministerial positions including deputy home minister from 2013 to 2015, natural resources and environment minister (2015 to 2018), entrepreneurship and cooperative development minister (2020 to 2021) and minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) (2021 to 2022).

He was Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker from 2008 to 2013 and Dewan Negara president last year.

- Bernama