Wan Junaidi appointed as eighth governor of Sarawak, replacing Taib

FORMER speaker of the Senate, Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has been appointed as the eighth Yang di-Pertua Negri of Sarawak.

He replaces Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, 88, who was sworn in as the seventh governor on March 1, 2014.

At the same ceremony, Wan Junaidi was also awarded the title of Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara, which carries the title of Tun, reports Bernama.  

Taib, a former chief minister, has been reported to be ailing and receiving treatment in Turkey.

According to Bernama, Wan Junaidi received the letter of appointment from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah in a ceremony at Istana Negara this morning.

The appointment is for a period of four years until Januari 26, 2028.

Speculations had been rife that he would take over from Taib after Wan Junaidi was reported to have resigned as speaker of the upper house of Parliament a week ago.

The 79-year-old native Sarawakian was born in Kampung Pendam (now Sadong Jaya), about 55km east of Kuching, on Februari 1, 1945. 

He has in the past served as federal minister in three different portfolios.

He headed the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (July 2015 to May 2018) and the MInistry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (March 2020 to August 2021), and was a minister in the Prime Minister's Department (in charge of Parliament and law) from August 2021 to November 2022.

In his younger days he operated in the police force, reaching the rank of inspector in the General Operations Force. 

He was notably involved in countering insurgents from the Communist Party of Malaya from 1969 to 1973.

He later became a lawyer, and also played a role as president of the Sarawak Ex-Police Association of Malaysia.

Wan Junaidi began his foray into electoral politics by winning the Batang Lupas parliamentary seat in the general election of 1990, keeping his position there for three terms.

He then became MP for Santubong from 2004 to 2023.

Throughout the time he remained a member of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). –  The Vibes, January 26, 2024