Wan Junaidi downplays talk

PETALING JAYA: The buzz that he would be appointed the next Sarawak governor is mere “social media speculation,” says Tan Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

“For now, it’s treated as social media speculation until an official announcement is made by the state government,” the Dewan Negara president told The Star.He was asked to comment on speculation that he had resigned as Senate president and would be appointed Sarawak governor.

A news portal on Friday reported that Wan Junaidi quit his post as Dewan Negara president and would be the next Sarawak governor. The portal also claimed that Wan Junaidi is expected to take the oath of office at a later date.

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

Wan Junaidi had been an MP for seven terms, since 1990, before deciding not to defend his Santubong seat in the 15th General Election in 2022.

The current Sarawak Head of State is Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who has held the position since March 2014.

It is learnt that Abdul Taib’s current term as the Sarawak governor is expected to terminate at the end of next month.

Other leaders have remained tight-lipped when approached to confirm the appointment yesterday.

Declining to comment, Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg reportedly said: “This is under the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.”

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof also remained mum, only saying that a statement on the matter would be issued in due time.