State govt, Dayak NGOs to go all-out in helping Watson Nyambek

KAPIT: The state government will chip in to help former national sprinter Watson Nyambek to settle his bank loan.

According to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, the state government acknowledges and appreciates what the former track champion has done for Sarawak.

“I am sorry. I only found out about it (just) now,” he told a press conference after officiating at the grand opening of the Sejiwa Senada programme here yesterday.

Watson — once dubbed as ‘The Flying Dayak’ — holds the country’s record for the fastest 100m sprint. He has been declared bankrupt over a bank loan of RM80,000 from Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd, which he took to cover the medical expenses for his father, who was suffering from ear cancer.

Watson’s father passed away two years ago.

The bankruptcy notice was issued by the Insolvency Department and published on the Friday edition of The Borneo Post.

Earlier, Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said Dayak leaders from the government had learned about Watson’s predicament and they too, would do their best to help him.

Similarly, he said Dayak associations like Sarawak Dayak National Union would also raise funds for the cause.

In Kuching, state Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth would seek to meet Watson as soon as possible to find ways of assisting him.

State BN Youth chief Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said they sympathised with Watson’s ordeal.

“Therefore, we plan to meet Watson to have a better understanding about his problem and find ways on how Sarawak BN Youth can help him in this situation,” the minister said yesterday.

Fadillah pointed out that the assistance was meant to reciprocate the contributions by Watson in elevating the good name of Sarawak by becoming Malaysia’s fastest man after clocking 10.30secs at the 1998 Malaysian Amateur Athletics Championships; as well as representing the country in several international meets.

In his response, the Miri-born former sprinter expressed his gratitude to the state government and other organisations for their aid to enable him settle his bank loan.

“I do not know what more to comment — just to say that I’m grateful and thankful to the state government for stating its willingness to help me with my problem.

“I really hope both Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak could help me in this matter,” Watson said when contacted yesterday.