KUCHING – The highlight of Tan Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s contribution to the state was his success in amending the federal constitution on Sarawak’s rights in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) while serving as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and law), said Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
The Sarawak premier said Wan Junaidi, who is now the Dewan Negara president, managed to obtain Parliament’s approval to amend Article 160 of the constitution to include MA63, the Cobbold Commission, and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report.
“When the constitutional amendment was passed with more than a two-thirds majority to become law, Sarawak’s rights became protected by the constitution,” he said.
Speaking at a dinner to celebrate Wan Junaidi’s appointment as the Dewan Negara president here last night, Abang Johari said the amendment affirms Sarawak’s position in Malaysia based on the federal constitution.
According to him, the appointment of Wan Junaidi as the Dewan Negara president on June 19 was made because Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wanted a neutral person to hold the post.
“Actually, we are helping Anwar. We in Sarawak only want stability for the country. If Malaysia is peaceful, the government is stable, and there is a high level of confidence, people will invest in Malaysia,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi in his speech described his election as Dewan Negara president as an honour given by the federal government to Sarawak.
He said he did not expect to be appointed to the role after deciding to retire from politics and not contest in the last 15th general election.
“I only want to help (as the Dewan Negara president) in the hope that the federal government’s stability will bring economic benefits to Sarawak,” he said. – Bernama, August 22, 2023
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