Abang Johari hails Wan Junaidi’s MA63 contribution

KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has honoured Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar for his contribution to strengthening constitutional provisions relating to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

He said Wan Junaidi played an important role in efforts to strengthen the Federal Constitution relating to MA63 when he was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department responsible for Parliament and Law.

The speech was delivered by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas on behalf of Abang Johari at the Other Religions Thanksgiving Ceremony held in conjunction with Wan Junaidi’s 80th birthday at Amity Hall, UNIFOR Complex, here on Friday night (Oct 9).

“However, throughout that journey, the contribution of Tun in strengthening the constitutional foundation relating to MA63 deserves to be remembered as part of Sarawak’s institutional history,” he said.

Abang Johari noted that the constitutional amendments were passed by the Dewan Rakyat in December 2021 with a more than two thirds majority and came into full force on February 11, 2022.

Uggah delivers Abang Johari’s speech. Photo: UKAS

The amendments involved, among others, Articles 1(2), 160(2) and 161A of the Federal Constitution.

“For Sarawak, it was not merely a technical amendment to constitutional provisions, but formed part of a broader effort to strengthen Sarawak’s position within the Federation,” he said.

He however stressed that the MA63 struggle was not the effort of one individual, but involved the Sarawak Government, Federal Government, Parliament, as well as many leaders and officials over several decades.

Abang Johari also described Wan Junaidi, as Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, as the State Head and a symbol of Sarawak’s sovereignty, stability and unity.

“However, we share one thing in common – we are all ‘anak Sarawak’,” he said.

He said unity did not mean eliminating differences, but having the ability to live together despite differences while moving towards a common goal.

He also highlighted Wan Junaidi and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi’s participation in various community programmes and celebrations involving different religious communities.

He said their presence at such events demonstrated that harmony was not merely something expressed in speeches, but something built through meetings and relationships.

The ceremony brought together representatives from Christian, Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, Sikh, Bahá’í and other religious communities.

He said the communities might differ in their ways of praying, traditions and languages, but shared a common hope that Wan Junaidi and Toh Puan would continue to be blessed with health, peace, happiness and wellbeing.

The ceremony was held for the second consecutive year with Wan Junaidi and Toh Puan in attendance.

It was also the first time the thanksgiving ceremony was held at Amity Hall, which he described as a space reflecting UNIFOR’s purpose of bringing together communities of different backgrounds in an atmosphere of mutual respect and goodwill.

He also called on UNIFOR to continue serving as a bridge between the Sarawak Government and other religious communities and as an institution helping to preserve harmony in Sarawak.