By Natasha Jee & Gabriel Lihan
KUCHING: Former Santubong MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar will continue to play an important role in Sarawak despite not being an elected representative.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said he has asked Wan Junaidi to assist in the area of new economy which the state is currently focusing on.
“Wan Junaidi has vast experiences including his engagement in the international arena especially on environmental matters when he held the post as Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and his legal expertise.
“Hence, Wan Junaidi can help us in Sarawak. For instance, in the area of carbon trading, it involves international law. So I need Wan Junaidi to give us the input,” he said in a press conference after officiating at the Sarawakku Sayang programme in Kampung Telaga Air here today.
The Premier added that he had approached Wan Junaidi to seek his assistance and the later had responded positively to it.
“I have spoken to him. I asked him, ‘Wan, can you help me?’ because our economy is based on a new economy and it involves international law and he has the experience in regard to carbon and climate change when he was the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment,” Abang Johari said.
When prompted to name the position which will be helmed by Wan Junaidi, Abang Johari said it will be determined later.
Wan Junaidi, 77, is a member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). He has experience in leading the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment from 2015 to 2018 and the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (2020-2021).
He was a Member of Parliament since 1990, and once served as Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (2008-2013) and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (2013-2015). His last federal post was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law).
