KUCHING: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) former deputy president Andrew Puro passed away at his home after a short illness today (April 1).
This was confirmed by the party’s secretary general Julius Enchana.
Puro, a Bidayuh from Kampung Simboh in Jalan Puncak Borneo was a UK law graduate and a former banker who joined politics about six years ago.
When contacted, PBDS former vice president Bego Sepop who is a close friend to the late Puro, informed that the latter died at the age of 59, around 6.30am at his residence in Matang.
“Andrew (Puro) had an illness about a year ago but he was already not in good health when he quit the party,” Bego said.
PBDS in a statement today said the late Puro was one of the core members of the party since he was elected as the deputy president in 2018.
“His Dayakism and enthusiasm has brought the party to be well recognised in Bidayuh constituencies.
“He had always emphasised that PBDS is not a racial party, but a multiracial political entity to cater to all indigenous and native people of Sarawak,” the party said.
Julius described the late Puro as a man of honour who always put the community’s interest above himself and contributed a lot to the party since he first joined.
“He also contributed a lot to non-governmental organisation (NGO) and Dayak Bidayuh community and he was chairman of PBDS Puncak Borneo.
“PBDS conveys condolences to his family and may his soul rest in peace.”
