Former Piasau assemblyman Alan Ling Sie Kiong (left) consoling a grieving Dr Teo near the murder scene.
MIRI: The death of Bill Kayong, a man in his prime who had just been in mainstream politics, is a big blow to PKR in Miri and all those who know him as a smiling and an affable person who was also a fearless fighter for social and native customary rights (NCR) issues.
He had just made his election foray this year for the Bekenu state seat, standing as PKR candidate against direct BN candidate Rosey Yunus and two former SPDP members-turned independent candidates in the 11th state election last month.
The father of two was gunned down in broad daylight at the Permyjaya-Kuala Baram traffic light intersection near e-Mart Shopping Mall in Tudan at about 8.30am. He died on the spot.
Bill was PKR Miri branch secretary and Persatuan Dayak Sarawak (Pedas) secretary at the time of his death.
He was the first politician to be gunned down by unknown assailant(s) in Miri.
The incident was discovered about half an hour later by a friend of his wife who became suspicious that his vehicle emblazoned with PKR’s slogan was stationary for an unusually long time in the middle of the road.
His senseless murder sent shockwaves and drew condemnation from both sides of the political divide throughout the state, creating another firestorm in the cyberspace which is rife with speculations on the motive of his killing.
The deceased was from Betong and had worked and stayed in Miri for over 20 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.
He was eleventh of 12 siblings in the family and was born on Dec 8, 1973. He studied in SRK Nanga Ajau, Betong before continuing his secondary education in SMK Dato Permaisuri in Miri (SRP) and SMK Patinggi Beting, Betong. He later earned a diploma in Occupational Safety and Health in a private college in Miri.
He left his job as a plant supervisor of a plywood manufacturing company to become personal assistant to Miri MP Dr Micheal Teo Yu Kheng in June 2013.
Previously, he was a member of the defunct PBDS for 10 years.
Friends in the media were shocked when news started spreading that he had been shot. He was media-friendly and had facilitated many press conferences and was the media-relations point man when PKR leaders came to town.
Bill and Dr Teo used to hold press conferences at a nearby coffee shop or at the conference room of the PKR office at Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre.
Bill was there when Dr Teo was assaulted outside his office on May 15 last year by an unidentified assailant. The suspect fled the scene in a car without a number plate and was never arrested.