PKR Iban land rights activist shot dead
Published on: Wednesday, June 22, 2016
MIRI: PKR Miri Branch Secretary Bill Kayong was shot dead on the face and neck at a traffic intersection in Lutong here, Tuesday, police said. Kayong, 43, who lost in the Sarawak state election on May 7, was shot by an unknown person at 8.30am while he waited for the lights there in his Toyota Hilux, said Sarawak CID Chief SAC Dev Kumar M. M. Sree Shunmugam. "We believe the victim was travelling from his home in Senadin, Miri, to his office in Permyjaya, Miri," he said.
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Dev Kumar appealed to those who might have seen the shooting to come forward to assist the police. He said the intersection was normally busy during that time of the morning and the police believed many motorists might have witnessed the incident."We are also appealing to members of the public to avoid speculating about the possible motives of the shooting," he said.Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said police have formed a task force to investigate the case and ascertain the motive.
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"The task force will be led by the Sarawak CID chief and assisted by federal police. Bukit Aman will send a team from the federal CID officers to assist in the probe. This is a sensitive case and we urge the public to not speculate on it." he said.Kayong lost in the four-cornered contest for the Bekenu rural seat that was won by Barisan Nasional direct candidate Rosey Yunus.
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Kayong was also Secretary of the Persatuan Dayak Sarawak (Pedas), a Dayak-based NGO championing the welfare of the Dayak community, especially on land matters. Kayong had been a vociferous advocate of social issues and had banked on NCR land issues in the state elections when he contested in the Bekenu seat against Rosey Yunus of Barisan Nasional and independents, Jou @ Peter Jelin and Austin Sigi Melu.In a joint-statement, PKR defacto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail expressed its condolences to the family and prayed that they stay strong during this difficult time. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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