KUCHING, Feb 28: Sarawak Governor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has been bestowed with Sarawak’s highest award, the Satria Bintang Sarawak (SBS), which carries the title ‘Pehin Sri’ today.
The investiture ceremony was graced by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, representing the Sarawak government, at Astana Negeri.
Also in attendance were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian as well as Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, ministers and other distinguished guests.
According to a news report by TVS, Wan Junaidi is the fifth recipient of the award, following in the footsteps of the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the late Tun Pehin Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng and the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
Wan Junaidi assumed the role of the 8th Sarawak Governor on Jan 26, 2024, succeeding Taib, who stepped down as the 7th Sarawak Governor on Jan 25, 2024, ahead of the expiration of his term at the end of February 2024.
Immediately after receiving his appointment letter from the former Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, Wan Junaidi was also conferred the country’s highest award, the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (SSM), which carries the title of ‘Tun’.
Wan Junaidi’s illustrious career has seen him hold several pivotal roles, including President of the Senate (Dewan Negara), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law), Minister of Entrepreneurship Development and Cooperatives, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, and Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
He assumed the presidency of the Senate on June 19, 2023, until he resigned on Jan 19, 2024.
His notable contributions include his significant role in integrating the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in the ongoing negotiations between the Federal government and the governments of Sarawak and Sabah.
Apart from being a successful lawyer and politician, Wan Junaidi is also a prolific writer, having written seven books.
Wan Junaidi is also active in non-governmental organisations such as the Ex-Police Association of Malaysia Sarawak, where he was its president from 1990 to 2001, and has been active in the Scout’s movement where he has held the post of Sarawak’s Chief Scout Commissioner since 1992. — DayakDaily
