KUCHING: The appointment of Tan Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar as Dewan Negara Speaker is not only for the interests of Sarawak but also for the nation, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
The Kapit Member of Parliament thanked Putrajaya, especially Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, for Wan Junaidi’s appointment.
Nanta, who is the secretary general of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Parti Pesaka Bumipitera Bersatu (PBB), said appointing Wan Junaidi was the right decision as the latter is capable of performing his duties because of his experience as a former deputy speaker of the Dewan Rakyat and a former full and deputy minister.
He said GPS is grateful and proud that a representative from the coalition was given the opportunity and honour to hold the position.
According to Nanta, during his tenure as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi had held several negotiations on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to restore the rights and interests of Sarawak.
“He has contributed in many ways and with his new appointment as Speaker of the Dewan Negara, I believe he will continue to provide the best services for the country and the democratic system.
“In his new capacity, I believe he will continue to contribute to Sarawak, but as Speaker of the Dewan Negara, his priority is not only to Sarawak, but should be more about the country and the entire country’s democratic system,” Nanta added.
Wan Junaidi was appointed as Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat effective today to replace Tan Sri Rais Yatim whose term expired recently.
For the record, Wan Junaidi was a Member of Parliament for Batang Lupar from 1990 to 2004 before moving to the Santubong constituency until he retired last year.
He was the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives from March 10, 2020 to Aug 16, 2021, and from Aug 30 2021 to Nov24 2022 he was the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law).
Meanwhile, Puncak Borneo Member of Parliament Datuk Willie Mongin said Wan Junaidi’s appointment coincided with the Sarawak government’s desire to see Sarawakians given the honour to hold the position.
“I am very pleased to hear that Tan Sri Wan Junaidi has been appointed Speaker of the Dewan Negara, and he is a qualified person because he has been the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and has experience as a respected Minister of Law,” he said.
Willie said his appointment will take the country to a higher level because he has extensive experience.
