KUALA LUMPUR – Newly sworn-in Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has promised to continue efforts to implement parliamentary reforms, including introducing rules on the code of ethics for MPs.
Addressing the upper House today after taking his oath as the Senate’s president, Wan Junaidi, who was the sole candidate for the post, said that he deems the “vital” code of ethics one of his top priorities.
“An MP’s job and responsibility is not to fight and play with politics in the hall; instead, they are meant to legislate laws and pass the nation’s budget to service the people in the context of Malaysian politics,” he said.
The former law minister under the Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob-led administration also took the opportunity to note that while he had intended to retire from politics, he did not hesitate to take up the call to serve his country again.
“As many of you might be aware, I have already retired from politics and government service.
“However, the call to serve our country is far more important (than what I had planned for myself),” he said.
He added that Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg had personally called him last week to inform him of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s wish for him to shoulder the post.
Wan Junaidi had previously served as the Batang Lupar MP from 1990 to 2004 before switching to Santubong where he served the constituency from 2008 until his retirement last year.
Prior to becoming the Dewan Negara president, Wan Junaidi was sworn-in as a senator alongside former religious affairs minister Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa and former deputy home minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.
Anwar had later put forth Umno leader Nur Jazlan as the government’s pick for the Dewan Negara deputy speaker’s post while Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau put forth Bersatu information chief Datuk Razali Idris’ name.
After a written vote was held due to there being more than one candidate for the post, Nur Jazlan, who received 43 votes compared to Razali’s 11, was sworn in as Wan Junaidi’s deputy. – The Vibes, June 19, 2023
