KUCHING: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wanted someone neutral for the Senate President’s post to replace Tan Sri Rais Yatim whose term ended on June 15.
This came to light when Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg recalled that Anwar had previously confided in him of the dilemma he was facing in selecting a candidate for the post.
“While we were conversing during our journey back from an event at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in the car, Anwar said he had a problem, and I asked him what it was.
“Anwar said it was about the Senate President’s post, and he wanted someone who is neutral. So, I told him, ‘Easy, pick a Sarawakian’.
“He then responded, ‘That is true. Do you think Tan Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar wants to return? And I told Anwar I will ask Wan Junaidi later.
“I called Wan Junaidi, who at that time was my special advisor on carbon trading matters, and asked him if he wanted to return (to work) as someone wants to appoint him as the Senate President, and Wan Junaidi replied, ‘For the nation, I am ready to serve.’. So, Anwar’s problem was solved,” he said.
Abang Johari was speaking during the interaction ceremony and thanksgiving dinner at the Dewan Kompleks Islam Sarawak here last night (Aug 8) to mark Wan Junaidi’s appointment as the Senate President.
The Premier said Wan Junaidi’s appointment not only addressed Anwar’s problem but also served as an advantage for Sarawak.
“So, this is the blessing that we have when we are united. Our state is peaceful and we can put our focus on the people.
“Actually, we (Gabungan Parti Sarawak or GPS) are helping Anwar. (But) we in Sarawak only want stability in Malaysia; … we only want Malaysia to have stability,” he said, adding that otherwise foreign investors will not invest in Malaysia if the country is not stable.
“The moment you have an outflow of funds but you are not stable, then your economy will not be focused. And when there is no inflow of funds, your ringgit will be weakened.
‘This affects our income and the people too will be impacted. However, if Malaysia is peaceful where the government is stable and the public level of confidence is high, then investors will come to Malaysia,” he said.
Earlier, on matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Abang Johari said the state government will continue to pursue the state rights as stipulated in the agreement.
“In terms of education, Paragraph 17 of the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report 1962, affirms the need for the director of Education Sarawak to consult and seek advice of the Sarawak government first on any education policies.
“This is what I want to stress, and I told the Education Minister that there is no absolute right. You (federal government) have to refer to Sarawak as far as the policy on education is concerned,” he said.
