KUCHING – A tea reception on Sunday at the Kuching Riverside Hotel brought to a close the official celebrations marking the 79th birthday of Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (State Head) of Sarawak.
Arriving at about 10:30 am, Tun Wan Junaidi and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah (also referred to as Tupan Fuziah), were greeted by Dato’ Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Abang Johari Openg (Premier of Sarawak) and his daughter, Dayan Norjihan.
Among those in attendance were high-ranking state officials and their spouses, including the Deputy Premier, ministers, the State Secretary and deputy ministers.
During the tea reception, Tun Wan Junaidi and his wife personally presented cash assistance and gift baskets to 120 beneficiaries residing in Kuching, including underprivileged students and recipients of welfare aid.
The monetary support was provided by the Sarawak State Headquarters together with the state Social Welfare Department (JKM), while the gift baskets were contributed by Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS).
Cultural elements accompanied the celebration, with a performance programme followed by a symbolic cutting of yellow glutinous rice, a ceremonial gesture to mark the occasion.
The tea reception also formally concluded a series of birthday observances that began on 9 October.
Over the past four days, several events were held to celebrate the state head’s birthday: religious Thanksgiving services, interfaith sermons, a parade and mass gathering, the conferring of state medals, an official banquet, and a public concert.
Tun Wan Junaidi is the eighth person to hold the office of Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak. He officially assumed the role on 26 January 2024, following his appointment at the National Palace, and was sworn in at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on 29 January 2024. His current term will run until 26 January 2028.
The large turnout at the state’s celebrations reflects the public’s warm reception to his leadership and the ceremonial importance traditionally accorded to the official birthday of Sarawak’s Head of State.