He also said Sarawak Chairman of the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) Awang Tengah Ali Hassan had also not made a statement.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, we have not heard any statement from them thus far.
“We would like to hear from them. This involves the state of Sarawak and I’m very sure they are very concerned about the crime activities in the state,” said Baru at a press conference today.
“We believe it would probably be good for them to make some kind of stand on the matter.”
Present at the press conference were Batu Lintang Assemblyman See Chee How, PKR Women’s Vice-Chairperson Voon Shiak Ni and Sarawak PKR Vice-Secretary Lynette Tan.
Bill, who was an active Native Customary Rights (NCR) land activist, was gunned down in his vehicle while he was waiting at the traffic light interchange at the Kuala Baram bypass in Miri on the morning of June 21.
The PKR Miri branch secretary was shot once in the neck and died instantly, according to the post-mortem report.
Police are investigating the killing.
Baru said the public nature of Bill’s murder calls for a bounty on the head of the killer, or a reward for information on the perpetrator.
“We are very aware that in any serious case of this nature, not only in our country, but also in other countries, there is always a reward announced by those in authority,” said Baru.
“Perhaps it would be a good idea for the police to provide a reward (for information) because it is a very, very serious case.
“With this type of background, even the state government can come forward to offer a reward for witnesses to come forward and assist in the investigations.”
Baru also refuted a statement by Miri Police Chief ACP Junaidi Bujang yesterday that Miri police had not been able to act against gangsters in Miri over their acts of violence and intimidation because of a lack of evidence.
“This is the answer we totally expected him to give and, true to form, he did not disappoint.
“’Lack of sufficient evidence’ may be a reasonable excuse if there had been only one or two incidences.
“But it is totally unacceptable in the long drawn-out saga of the victimisation of the Bekelit villagers during which numerous reports were lodged,” said Baru.
Baru alleged that Bill had received a phone call from a local gangster threatening to kill him for recording an offer of money he had made to Bill to negotiate with the villagers.
“Bill had played the recording to the villagers and the gangster found out about it. A report was lodged but nothing was done by the police,” Baru said.
He added that Miri MP Dr Michael Teo has also received death threats from the same gangster.
In another incident, Baru alleged that the assistant manager of a local plantation had gone to Sungei Bekelit with three enforcement officers and threatened the villagers with pistols.
“They were outnumbered by the villagers who ‘arrested’ them and held them, until a group of people, including Bill, went and calmed them down.”
Baru said there was sufficient information in the numerous police reports lodged regarding intimidation.
“Surely, after so many years, police must know what is going on? It is their job to keep the peace and protect the people.
“It is their job to know what is going on in the areas under their watch.”
Meanwhile, Baru called for calm among party members and relatives of Bill.
“I would just like to point out that there is a lot of concern and anxiety on the ground. Everyone would be anxious to know the answers and these matters must be resolved as soon as possible.
“We would just like to ask people to be calm and be rational about the whole thing.
“We do read in some media, WhatsApp, we don’t want this matter to be referred to as a racial issue as this case is criminal in nature.
“Therefore, we ask for calm in the midst of anxiety. We know it is very frustrating for family members,” said Baru.