Bill Kayong spent his life fighting for Sarawak native
rights and the police must act quickly to arrest his killer, a group of 13
Dayak non-governmental organisations said today.
The 43-year-old Miri PKR secretary’s death at the hands of
an unknown shooter this morning sparked condemnation and unease statewide,
especially within the Dayak community.
“This senseless act had caused deep anger among members of
the Dayak community as such act is akin to stirring a hornet's net while at the
same time, testing Dayak's resolve,” the 13 groups said in a joint statement
read out by Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) president Dr Dusit Jaul.
“We call upon the police to conduct a thorough investigation
and to bring the perpetrators to book, fast.
“We want to put on record that Kayong did not die in vain.
He died as a Dayak hero. He gave his life for Dayak's struggles and he will
always be remembered by the whole Dayak community,” they said.
Dusit who spoke for the group declined to comment on the
possible motive for the killing when asked.
“Let the police do their investigation,” he told a news
conference here.
The groups also urged the Dayak community to keep calm and
not take the laws into their own hands.
Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA) president Sidi Munan
urged all Dayak NGOs to help the police by giving any information they have.
He said Kayong was a very vocal Dayak rights activist,
helping the Dayak native land owners to fight against oil palm companies.
Dayak National Congress (DNC) deputy president Datuk John
Tenewi Nuek said the police must solve the murder as fast as possible to allay
the fears of the people.
“The people will lose their confidence if the murder is not
solved fast,” he said.
Kayong, 43, who was Miri PKR secretary as well as secretary
of the Sarawak Dayak Association (Pedas) who made a bid for the Bekenu seat in
the May 7 state election but lost, alongside two independents, to Barisan
Nasional candidate Rosey Yunus.
He was killed by an unknown person using a shotgun in a
Toyota Hilux while at an intersection in Lutong, Miri, about 8.30am today.
Source –Malay Mail Online-
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