KUCHING: Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has been conferred the state’s highest honours, Satria Bintang Sarawak (SBS) which carries the title ‘Pehin Sri’.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, representing the Sarawak government, presented the award to Wan Junaidi in a ceremony at Astana Negeri Sarawak here today.
Present at the ceremony were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, along with ministers, deputy ministers, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, among others.
The accolade marks Wan Junaidi as the fifth recipient of the honour, joining the esteemed ranks of the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the late Tun Pehin Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng, and the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
For the record, Wan Junaidi was sworn in as the eighth Governor of Sarawak on Jan 26, succeeding the late Abdul Taib, who finished his term on Jan 25.
Upon receiving his appointment letter, he was bestowed the country’s highest award, the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (SSM) which carries the title ‘Tun’.
Throughout his illustrious career, Wan Junaidi has held various significant positions, including President of the Senate, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law), Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and later as Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Deputy Home Affairs Minister, and Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
Among his significant contributions is his pivotal role in integrating the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) into the ongoing negotiations between the federal government and the governments of Sarawak and Sabah.
Additionally, he spearheaded changes to the Federal Constitution to lead the Anti-Party-Hopping Act, marked by continuous efforts to achieve progress and reform, as well as strengthening the voter registration process for individuals aged 18 and above (excluding the royal institutions).
