KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar announced the set-up of a special team to investigate the fatal shooting of Sarawak opposition politician Bill Kayong earlier this morning.

He also advised the public not to speculate about the motive for the murder.

“We have set up a special team to investigate and we urge any members of the public with information to come to us to assist,” he told a news conference at the national police headquarters in Bukit Aman.

“But I urge members of the public not to speculate and let us do our job,” he added.

Kayong, 43, was killed by an unknown person using a shotgun in a Toyota Hilux while at an intersection in Lutong, Miri, about 8.30am today.

The Miri PKR secretary’s death has since sparked condemnation and unease statewide, especially within the Dayak community.

Earlier Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) president Sidi Munan urged all Dayak NGOs to help the police by giving any information they have.

He said Kayong was a very vocal Dayak rights activist, helping the Dayak native land owners to fight against oil palm companies.

Police are currently investigating the killing under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Kayong was in the limelight recently through the May 7 Sarawak election when he took on and lost to Barisan Nasional’s direct candidate Rosey Yunus in the Bekenu state constituency. Kayong polled 1,200 votes against Rosey’s 6009 votes.

Two other candidates, independents Peter Jelin (565 votes) and Austin Sigi Melu (589 votes) lost their election deposits.

Within the political circle, Kayong was known as the personal secretary to Miri PKR MP Dr Michael Teo long before the 2013 general elections.