By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 10: Yang Di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s role in efforts to strengthen amendments to the Federal Constitution relating to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) deserves to be remembered as part of Sarawak’s institutional history.
Speaking at the Interfaith Thanksgiving Ceremony held in conjunction with the 80th birthday celebration of the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that this was among Wan Junaidi’s most significant contributions when he served as the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department responsible for Parliament and law.
“Of course, the struggle for MA63 was not the work of one individual. It involved the Sarawak government, the federal government, Parliament, and many leaders and officials over several decades.
“Nevertheless, Your Excellency Tun’s contribution to strengthening the constitutional foundations relating to MA63 deserves to be remembered as part of Sarawak’s institutional history. For this, we express our deepest appreciation to Your Excellency Tun,” he said at the ceremony held at the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) Complex here on Friday (Oct 9), whereby his speech was read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
At the same time, Abang Johari said that turning 80 is a special milesyone and it is not merely a measure of time, but a long journey encompassing experience, sacrifice, responsibility, service, and wisdom.
“Over these eight decades, Your Excellency Tun has passed through many stages of life—from service in the security forces, to the fields of law, politics, and national administration, and ultimately to shouldering the trust and responsibility of serving as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak.
“Looking at this entire journey, one thing stands out as a common thread: a life devoted greatly to service. That is why tonight we are not merely celebrating a birthday; we are also remembering contributions, values and experiences that can serve as an example to the generations that follow,” he said.
He also lauded Wan Junaidi as the Head of State for all Sarawakians and a symbol of the State’s sovereignty, stability, and unity; describing him as a father who listens, guides, and wants to see every child can progress.
Also present were Wan Junaidi’s wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Deputy Sarawak Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication and Minister-in-Charge Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Deputy Minister for Transport (Riverine and Marine) and Deputy Minister-in-Charge of the Inter-Faith Thanksgiving Ceremony (Unifor) Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts and Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, and Unifor director Dato’ Georgina Apphia Ngau. — DayakDaily
