HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF SARAWAK PROFILE
His Excellency
Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar
The Governor of Sarawak
S.M.N., S.B.S.,P.S.M., P.N.B.S., D.G.S.M., P.J.N., J.S.M., J.B.S., P.B.S., P.P.C.J.I. (EMAS)
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Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar, 79, has been officially appointed as the eighth Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, succeeding Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, whose term concluded on 26 January 2024. He received his watikah (letter of appointment) from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, during a ceremony at Istana Negara.
Born on 1 February 1946 in Sadong Jaya, Simunjan, Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi began his professional career as a police officer before pursuing legal studies at the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom. He later obtained a Master’s in Law from the Council of Legal Education, London, and earned a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Southern California, USA.
He began his political journey in 1987 as an executive committee member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth, Satok Branch, rising to become one of the party’s vice-presidents. In 1990, he was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Batang Lupar and later served as MP for Santubong from 2004 until his retirement in 2021.
Over the years, Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi held several significant roles in the Federal Government, including Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law).
He was appointed President of the Senate on 19 June 2023 and held the position until his resignation on 19 January 2024 to assume his current role.
By virtue of his position as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi also serves as the 4th Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), with his term effective from 2024 until 25 January 2028, and as the 2nd Chancellor of University of Technology Sarawak (UTS). These appointments reflect his continued contributions to the advancement of higher education in Sarawak.
Outside public office, he is a prolific author with seven published books and has long been active in civil society. He served as President of the Ex-Policemen’s Association Sarawak from 1990 to 2001 and has been Sarawak’s Chief Scout Commissioner since 1992.
His appointment as Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak marks the continuation of an illustrious career dedicated to public service, education, leadership, and community development.
