Thirteen Dayak non-governmental organisations in Sarawak condemned the murder of Dayak activist Bill Kayong, who was gunned down by unknown persons in Lutong, Miri early today.

Kayong, 43, had stopped at a traffic light intersection when he was killed.

Among them are the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU), Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia), Dayak Graduates Association (DGA), Bidayuh Graduates Association (BGA), Barisan Iban Sarawak (Bisa) and the Dayak National Congress (DNC).

Their spokesperson Dr Dusit Jaul, who is DGA president, read out a joint statement at a press conference held at a hotel here.

"This senseless act has caused deep anger among members of the Dayak communities as such act is akin to stirring a hornet's nest while at the same time, testing Dayak resolve.

"In the light of this murder, we call and urge members of the communities to keep calm and not to take the laws into their own hands," he said.

Dusit said the police should conduct a fast and thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to book.

John Tenuwek, Malaysia's former ambassador to Myanmar and DNC deputy president, said he was shocked by the news.

"This is an act against the state of Sarawak, the country of Malaysia and humanity and not against the Dayak communities alone.

"Although I did not know him personally, I heard a lot about him struggling tirelessly for Dayak land rights," he said.

Sadia president Sidi Munan said the police should not leave any stone unturned in their investigation.

"But let us not interfere in their investigation. We should assist if we could in whatever way possible so that we will know the motive, the perpetartors and those behind the perpetrators," he said.

Meanwhile in Miri, Sarawak Dayak Association (Pedas) president Capt Collin Imran Abdullah described Kayong's murder as shocking and wanted the police to trace the mastermind of the incident.

He said the victim, who was also Pedas secretary, was friendly with everyone and committed to carry out social activities, especially those involving land issues of the Dayak communuity.

"I am deeply shocked and sad and ever since I get personally acquainted with him, he has no enemies," he told Bernama.

Collin, however, said last year the victim had told him of a telephone call he received telling him not to interfere with matters relating to land issues.

Pedas would help the family, including funeral arrangements, he said.

- Bernama