Fatimah (third left) chats with Hashikin. At left is Bill’s youngest brother Davy Kayong while Dr Abdul Rahman is at right.
MIRI: Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing, Datuk Fatimah Abdullah advised Bill Kayong’s widow to apply to be a permanent resident (PR) to be entitled to welfare aid from the government.
Hasyikin Hatta had applied for citizenship before but there was no response, so Fatimah advised her to apply again, giving her reasons for applying.
“Send one photocopy to our ministry for further action. We will look into it and consider the necessary assistance,” she told her during a visit to Hasyikin and her children at their residence in Senadin yesterday.
Fatimah assured that the government would take care of the education of Bill’s children.
The visit was to extend condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family.
Bill, a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Miri branch secretary was killed in a drive-by shooting at a traffic light intersection at E-mart Commercial Centre in Permyjaya on June 21.
The 43-year-old was a special aide to Miri MP Dr Michael Teo Yu Kheng, and secretary-general for Sarawak Dayak Association (Pedas).
He was found slumped in the driver’s seat with a fatal gunshot wound on the right side of his neck which killed him on-the-spot.
Fatimah was accompanied by officers from her ministry and Assistant Minister for Public Utilities (Electronics and Telecommunications) Dr Abdul Rahman who expressed his sympathy and handed over his contribution to Hasyikin.
Present to welcome the team were Bill’s 17-year-old son Zinedine Zidane and daughter Veralyna Kay, 14, and Bill’s siblings and close relatives.
Fatimah hugged the grief-stricken Hasyikin and consoled her in the presence of the family and relatives.
Before departing, Fatimah handed over a hamper and personal donations.
Hasyikin thanked Fatimah and Dr Abdul Rahman for visiting and for their words of comfort as well as all those who had visited the family from the day of the shooting until now.