KUCHING: Questions over whether Tan Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has resigned as Dewan Negara president remain unanswered, with the former law minister maintaining his silence on this issue.
The Sarawak government has also chosen to keep mum on the issue after rumours claimed that Wan Junaidi's resignation was to pave the way for his appointment as the new Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
State Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, when contacted, declined to confirm whether the issue was on the agenda during the state legislative assembly meetings last Thursday and today.
"I was made to understand that he (Wan Junaidi) will be issuing an official statement on resigning as the Dewan Negara president.
"There have been claims that this was due to him being appointed as the new Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak. These remain predictions, sometimes they are true, sometimes they're not.
"Yes, the Sarawak cabinet convened a meeting last Thursday but the appointment of a Yang di-Pertua Negeri wasn't discussed. Today's meeting was a closed-door event so it's confidential," he said.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating the opening of the Kuching Kawasaki building at the Travilion Centre in Jalan Petanak, here today.
Abdul Karim said he was made to understand that Wan Junaidi would be issuing an official statement soon.
"If this ties in with the appointment of a new Yang di-Pertua Negeri, it could be because the current Yang di-Pertua Negeri's (Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud) term is set to end soon.
"But whether his (Taib's) tenure is extended or not will depend on the recommendation by the Sarawak government as well as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who will make the decision," he said.
Abdul Karim also confirmed that Abdul Taib, who was previously in Istanbul, Turkey, had returned to Sarawak last night.
"I was there at the airport to welcome his arrival. He looks much better from before," he said.
Yesterday, a news portal claimed that Wan Junaidi had submitted his resignation as the Dewan Negara president, and was expected to be appointed as the eighth Governor of Sarawak.
A state government source, meanwhile, had claimed that the swearing-in ceremony for the position of Yang di-Pertua of Sarawak is scheduled to be held on Jan 29.
However, it cannot be confirmed whether the swearing-in ceremony is for the position of Acting Yang di-Pertua or for a new head of state.