These were just some of the words used to describe slain PKR activist Bill Kayong, who was shot dead early this morning.
Tributes, mostly from fellow party members, began pouring in following the shocking news of his murder, with Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How stating that PKR had lost a diligent party leader and a well respected native rights activist who was friendly to everybody.
See also condemned the killing as an act of extreme violence.
Kayong, See added, was a person who bore no grudges against political adversaries or antagonists.
“Personally, Bill was more than a close friend. With the work that we have been doing together for the past decade, we treated each other as family members.
“Many party colleagues and activists in the state will share that feeling towards Bill, remembering the good and helpful person that he was. We will continue his good work and (champion the) causes he advocated and contributed towards,” See told FMT.
PKR Vice-President Darell Leiking, when contacted, described Kayong as a good friend, whom he became close to a few years back.
The Sabah lawmaker said Kayong was someone who believed in Sarawak and always fought for the state.
“He had a good sense of humour. It is sad he lost his life in this manner.”
PKR Kelana Jaya lawmaker Wong Chen met Kayong a few years ago and remembers him as someone who always wore a broad smile.
“He was friendly, helpful and was a very dedicated party member,” Chen wrote on Facebook.
PKR Vice-President Dr Xavier Jeyakumar sang the same praises, telling FMT the two became close during the last state election.
“He was a very friendly guy and took whatever job given to him seriously. He was hardworking and he cared about the issues that mattered most to the natives.
“His death is a huge loss to the party and the people of Sarawak.”
Kayong, who contested in Bekenu in the recent Sarawak election, was shot dead this morning near the Emart One-Stop shopping mall in Senadin, Miri.
The 43-year-old was an advocate of social issues in the state, especially on native customary rights, which he talked of at length in his election campaigns.
Meanwhile, Sarawak CID chief SAC S Dev Kumar said police had classified the case as murder and urged witnesses to come forward to facilitate investigations.
Dev also revealed that Kayong was shot using a shotgun while on the way to his office in Permyjaya from his home in Senadin.
PKR President Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her husband Anwar Ibrahim, in a joint statement, urged the authorities to track down those behind the murder and called for all parties to be patient for the full report by the police.
“We express our condolences to Kayong’s family. May they be strong in facing this difficult challenge.”