KUCHING: Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has been sworn in as Sarawak’s eighth Yang di-Pertua Negeri here.

       He took the oath of office at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly’s Dewan Lapau yesterday in front of Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli.

       Earlier, he received a guard of honour mounted by the 11th Battalion of the General Operations Force.

       He was accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.

       The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, as well as other state leaders and dignitaries.

       Wan Junaidi, 77, was appointed the new Head of State for a four-year term effective Jan 26, 2024, by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

       He received the instrument of appointment from the King at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur, taking over the role from Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.

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       Prior to his appointment, Wan Junaidi served as the Dewan Negara president.

       He had served as Batang Lupar and Santubong MPs since he was first elected in 1990 until he decided not to seek re-election in the 15th General Election in 2022.

       At the federal level, he held various ministerial positions.

       These included the natural resources and environment minister (2015 to 2018), entrepreneurship and cooperative development minister (2020 to 2021), and the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) from 2021 to 2022.