It's been more than two weeks since the appointment of the eighth Governor of Sarawak. Sarawak is one of the 13 states in Malaysia and it is one of the four states that is not reigned over by the monarchy.
The state is led by the Chief Minister (or as Sarawakians like to address as 'Premier') and governed by a Governor.
Have no clue who this new Governor is? Worry not! We're here to share some highlights from His Excellency's accomplishments that'll help you know him better (career-wise).
At the age of 78, Wan Junaidi peaked in his career. He was elected and appointed as the eighth Sarawak Governor, succeeding the former governor, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
IMAGE: UKAS.
He received his appointment letter (watikah) from Malaysia's previous monarch, His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shahat Istana Negara on January 26, 2024.
Wan Junaidi was born on February 1, 1946, in Sadong Jaya, Simunjan. He started his political career in 1987 when he was appointed as an executive committee member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Youth Satok Branch, and rose to become one of its vice presidents.
Before all the political stuff came to be, Wan Junaidi had a humble beginning.
1. He started as a policeman and served the state.
He started off as a policeman. He joined the Malaysian Police Force in 1964 and served in the Jungle Squad (Pasukan Polis Hutan) till 1973.
He braved the jungles as he joined his counterparts in battling the Communists that lingered in the jungles of Miri, Sibu, Sarikei, Bintangor, Muara Tebas, and Kapit.
He was also appointed as the Vice President of the Ex-Policemen Association in Sarawak, which he later became the president of.
He was also an active leader in the Scouts' Association/ Movement in Sarawak.
2. Lawfully equipped and the people's representative.
He pursued his studies in law at the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom. He later obtained a Master's Degree in Law from the Council of Legal Education London.
After serving as the Chief Prosecutor for the Sarawak Police Force in December 1982, Wan Junaidi shifted his career path to be a lawyer.
He later completed his PhD in Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Southern California, USA.
Tun Wan Junaidi was chosen to contest in Batang Lupar in 1990 and was subsequently elected as its Member of Parliament (MP). He held the post until he switched his seat to Santubong in 2004, a role he remained in until he retired from active politics in 2021.
As an MP, Tun Wan Junaidi held various important posts in the Federal Government, starting as Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
IMAGE: BERNAMA.
3. A man who held different federal portfolios.
As the years went by, he made it into the administration side of the constituency. Everything began when he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs from 2013 to 2015.
Later, he was entrusted with the portfolio as the Minister of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources from 2015 to 2018.
He was also the Minister of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship Development and Cooperatives from 2020 to 2021.
During his period as a minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Parliament), he made tremendous efforts in matters regarding crucial laws and bills, such as the Akta Lompat Parti which prevents representatives from changing their political parties during their term as members of the Hall of Representatives.
4. President of the Hall of the Senate.
His final portfolio before being appointed as the new Governor of Sarawak was the President of the Hall of the Senate (Yang di-Pertua Dewan Negara). He started serving under this portfolio in 2023 and sent in his resignation letter in January 2024, prior to the announcement of his appointment.
Apart from his political career, he is also a published writer who wrote notable books, such as 'A Policeman’ and ‘Evolusi Parlimen dan Speaker Parlimen Malaysia’.
Many look forward to His Excellency's appointment and how he'll guide the state of Sarawak forward with his experiences.
The term will last for four years, starting January 26, 2024, until January 26, 2028.
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