KUCHING: Senate President Tan Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said he had never expected to be asked to come out of retirement to serve the country again.
The former federal minister was appointed as Senate President effective June 19 to replace Tan Sri Rais Yatim after the latter’s term ended on June 15.
Wan Junaidi assured that following his appointment, he will continue to ensure Sarawak rights are safeguarded.
“In 1993 when the Gambling Bill was tabled in Parliament to nullify the Sarawak Ordinance on gambling, thus transferring the gambling authority to Peninsular Malaysia, I was the first Barisan Nasional (BN) MP to stand against a parliamentary Bill in Malaysia.
“I did not agree to it because that was the right of Sarawak under MA63 which was taken by Peninsular Malaysia.
“I did not receive the support from fellow parliamentarians, including those from Sarawak, who even scolded me. But I didn’t care, because I knew what I was doing. However, I did not succeed because only 29 members supported me then.
“As a result, I was put in ‘cold storage’ for seven years, and my activities were restricted.
“From this experience, I realised that it was time for Parliament to be independent and to be free from external influence,” he said.
Wan Junaidi said in his speech at the interaction ceremony and thanksgiving dinner on his appointment as the Senate President at the Dewan Kompleks Islam Sarawak here which was also attended by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg last night (Aug 8).
Recalling his tenure as Law Minister, he effected the amendment of the Federal Constitution on three occasions within a brief span of 13 months.
“I managed to ensure that the MA63 is part of the Federal Constitution and this was with the assistance of the state government.
“I also want to share with you that I had wanted to resign because along the way I got so angry with the Cabinet for not supporting me.
“But the Premier encouraged me to stay on, and with that backing, support, and motivation, I stayed and the (Bill) to amend the Federal Constitution was successfully passed,” he said.
Wan Junaidi said his appointment as the Senate President is proof of the federal government’s recognition of Sarawak under Abang Johari.
“This is because of the achievements made through the Premier’s vision and mission.
“In this case, I will try my best to assist and with the hope that federal government is stable and could achieve good economic returns, and at the same time making sure the Sarawak government reaches its goals like setting up the Sovereign Wealth Fund for the benefit of our future generations,” he said.
He said Sarawak is in good hands under the leadership of Abang Johari and thus all Sarawakian must come together to safeguard the state’s rights.
“This is to ensure that the remaining demands by Sarawak under MA63 will be realised,” he added.
Wan Junaidi, 78, apart from being the defacto Law Minister from 2021 to 2022, previously also held positions as the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment from 2015 to 2018, and as the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives from 2020 to 2021.
His extensive political career includes serving as the Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat from 2008 to 2013 and the Deputy Home Minister from 2013 to 2015.
He was the MP for Santubong from 2004 to 2022, and ealier the MP for Batang Lupar from 1990 to 2004.
