KUCHING, June 19 — Tan Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s extensive experience as an elected representative and Cabinet minister qualifies him to be elected as the Dewan Negara president, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
“He has proven himself when he was a member of the Dewan Rakyat and a minister.
“During his last term as a Member of Parliament, he was very aggressive in ensuring that matters in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Federal Constitution were implemented,” he told reporters after attending the Dialogue session on Agrocommodity Energy Use 2023 here today.
Although Wan Junaidi’s position in the Dewan Negara does not allow him to be involved in the MA63 negotiations, Fadillah, who is also the MA63 Technical Committee chairman, assured that he will continue to deal with issues under the agreement.
Wan Junaidi’s appointment makes the former Santubong MP and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) the second Sarawakian to hold the post, after the late Tan Sri Abang Ahmad Urai Abang Mohideen from 1988 to 1990.
Earlier, Wan Junaidi, former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof and former Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed were sworn in as senators.
Wan Junaidi’s appointment, effective June 18, is to replace Tan Sri Rais Yatim, whose tenure ended on June 16.
The appointment was made after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim nominated Wan Junaidi, who is also the sole candidate proposed for the post. — Bernama
