PBK chief raises constitutionality concern over new TYT’s appointment
Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan is questioning whether the appointment of Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar as the eighth Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri was done in accordance to the constitution.
He said while there are media reports that Wan Junaidi’s predecessor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had resigned, no official announcement on this was made by either the state or federal governments, or by Taib himself.
“In the absence of any official announcement, it is unsure whether Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud did or did not resign as Governor.
“The people of Sarawak are being kept in the dark. They have a right to know,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said without an official resignation letter from Taib addressed to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a constitutional issue arises in Wan Junaidi’s appointment as TYT.
Citing the Article 1(2) of the Sarawak Constitution, Voon – a lawyer by profession – said the Yang di-Pertua Negeri is appointed by the Agong for a period of four years, and the Yang di-Pertua Negeri can choose to resign before his term is over by tendering a letter to the Agong.
Taib’s tenure as the seventh Governor was only due to expire at the end of February, he pointed out.
Adding on, Voon said another much-talked about issue now is whether Taib had resigned or was removed as Head of State.
He again cited Article 1(2) of the Sarawak Constitution, which states that the removal of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri from office before his term expires could be made by the Agong in pursuance of an address by the State Legislative Assembly, supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total number of the members.
He also claimed there are talks that ‘several top leaders’ took to themselves in deciding all things leading to the appointment of Wan Junaidi as the eighth TYT.
“Law and procedures have to be followed and respected. Failure to do so can lead to a dangerous political game,” he said.
On Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the decision to end Taib’s tenure as Governor early was at the discretion of the Agong.
“I don’t want to comment much on that as that is up to the jurisdiction of the Yang diPertuan Agong… this is up to the absolute power of the King,” he told reporters after officiating at an event here.
Wan Junaidi last Friday received the instrument of appointment from Yang di-Pertuan Agong AlSultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin AlMustafa Billah Shah in a ceremony at Istana Negara.
His appointment, under Article 1 of the Sarawak Constitution, is for four years until Jan 26, 2028.