Wan Junaidi resigns as Dewan Negara president, to become Sarawak governor

Wan Junaidi resigns as Dewan Negara president, to become Sarawak governor


Dewan Negara president Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has resigned from his post, according to sources, as he reportedly is getting ready to assume the position of Sarawak's governor.

A source in the Parliament told Malaysiakini that Wan Junaidi tendered his letter of resignation earlier today.

According to a report by The Malaysian Insight, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak leader is set to succeed Abdul Taib Mahmud as the eighth Sarawak governor.

An aide to Wan Junaidi reportedly said the former minister may issue an official statement on the matter.

"So far we have no comment. We will issue a press statement if there is an instruction to do so.

"We are waiting too, and we are trying to get it as soon as possible," the aide said, as quoted by Sinar Harian.

Abdul Taib Mahmud


The government nominated Wan Junaidi as the Dewan Negara president in June last year, succeeding Rais Yatim.

He was an MP for seven terms since 1990, before deciding not to defend his Santubong seat in the 15th general election last year.

Previously, Wan Junaidi has held the positions of deputy home minister, natural resources and environment minister and minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Parliament and Law.

Taib has served as Sarawak governor for three terms, starting in 2014 after he stepped down as chief minister.

He was the fourth chief minister of Sarawak and held the post for 33 years, after succeeding his uncle Abdul Rahman Ya'kub on March 26, 1981.

In his early days, Taib served as a judge’s associate in the Supreme Court of South Australia after reading law at the University of Adelaide, before returning to Sarawak.

He later entered the political arena in 1963 when he joined the Sarawak legislative council and served until 1966.