Wan Junaidi nominated as new Dewan Negara Speaker

KUCHING: Tan Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has been nominated as the new Speaker of the Dewan Negara.
 
The former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) from Sarawak said he was informed of his nomination by the Unity Government on June 13.
 
“The post can only be accepted by way of consent by the person nominated.
 
“In this regard, it will give me the opportunity to continue with my previous work of bringing reforms to Parliament, which I had intended to do,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.
 
Should Wan Junaidi be appointed as the Dewan Negara Speaker, he is to replace Tan Sri Rais Yatim, whose tenure ended on June 15.
 
The official announcement will be made on Monday.
 
Wan Junaidi, 78, previously held many important positions. He had served as the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment from 2015 to 2018 and the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative from 2020 to 2021.
 
The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) member was also the Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat from 2008 to 2013 and the Deputy Home Minister from 2013 to 2015.
 
He had previously served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Santubong from 2004 to 2022, after holding the position of MP for Batang Lupar from 1990 to 2004.