By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 13: Santubong incumbent Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar will still be around to assist the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government despite stepping down as an MP.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Wan Junaidi has vast experiences, including his engagement in the international area, especially on the environment when he led the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and legal expertise.
“Thus, Wan Junaidi has the experience that can help us in Sarawak.
“Like the carbon trading industry, it involves international law. So I need Wan Junaidi, through his experience, to give us the input,” he told a press conference after officiating at the Sarawakku Sayang Programme held at Telaga Air Esplanade here today.
When prompted to name the position that Wan Junaidi will helm, Abang Johari said it would be determined later.
“However, I have spoken to him. I asked him, ‘Wan, can you help me?’ (sic) because our economy is based on the new economy, and it involves international law.
“So I had asked Wan Junaidi’s aid for his experience because he was previously involved in carbon and climate change when he headed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment,” he added.
In previous reports, Wan Junaidi has expressed his intention not to seek reelection in the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15), putting an end to his seven-term record as an MP — three terms in Batang Lupar from 1990 to 2004 and four terms in Santubong from 2004 to present time.
Among the many hats he had worn were Deputy Speaker of Dewan Rakyat, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, and the latest being Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law).
During his tenure as a federal minister overseeing the law, he had successfully led significant amendments in the Federal Constitution, which included constitutional amendments relating to Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), anti-party hopping law, and Undi18.
Amongst those present at the event were Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability-cum-Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Sarawak Financial Secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar; Wan Junaidi; GPS candidate for P193 Santubong Dato Sri Nancy Shukri; Pantai Damai assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Tanjung Datu assemblyman Azizul Annuar Adenan, and Samariang assemblywoman Datuk Dr Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali. — DayakDaily
