SDNU Youth lauds CM on move to help former track star
KUCHING: The Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Youth has lauded Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem on his move to help former national sprinter Watson Nyambek over his debt problem.
SDNU Youth chief Churchill Edward Drem expressed his gratitude to Adenan for considering financial assistance to Watson — once dubbed as the ‘ Flying Dayak’ during the height of his career years ago.
He also thanked both SDNU deputy president Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi and PBB Youth chief Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof for their prompt response to the matter.
Churchill regarded Watson as someone who had remained humble despite his accomplishments.
“Such humbleness may be the reason why he (Watson) never shared his personal problem with the public — we respected his privacy then. For this, he deserves the help of all his countrymen.
“Still, I would like to stress that Watson is not any ordinary citizen. He is still the pride of the nation; more so, he is the pride of Sarawak, and the Dayaks in particular,” Churchill said yesterday, stressing that Watson’s bankruptcy status did not derive from being extravagant, but because of his love for his family.
It is reported that he took a substantial bank loan to cover for medical costs in treating his father, who was suffering from cancer.
Watson’s father passed away two years ago.
“Personally, I would like to donate a hard- earned RM100 to SDNU special fund, as proposed by Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, just to start the ball rolling,” Churchill said.
“My RM100 alone may not be able to help Watson but yours can. Let us all pool our resources and do our part to help our national hero in his time of need.”