KUCHING: Nicholas Bawin Anggat, a prominent Dayak figure and seasoned politician, has passed away at the age of 66.
He passed at the Normah Medical Specialist Centre at 9.20 pm after a prolonged illness on March 26.
Bawin leaves behind his wife, Rajini Ramasamy, and their four daughters.
According to an article by the Borneo Post, a family friend shared that during his final moments, Bawin was surrounded by his wife and three of his daughters, while his fourth daughter was at work when he passed away.
Bawin’s political journey spanned many years, marked by multiple attempts to secure elected office.
The former Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak (Mais) deputy president ran as a candidate for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition in the 2018 general elections for Lubok Antu, but was unsuccessful.
His earlier bids for election, including in 2008 and 2013 for the Lubok Antu seat and in the state elections for Batang Ai and Engkilili in 2011 and 2021, also did not result in victory.
Before his run with PH, Bawin was a key figure in the founding of the now-defunct Malaysian Dayak Congress (MDC) in 2005, after breaking away from Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS).
Though he served as the protem president, the MDC never received official registration and dissolved shortly after in 2006.
Additionally, Bawin served as the president of the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) from 2004 to 2007.
In 2020, Bawin stepped away from the political spotlight, leaving his position in the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and retiring from active politics.
He made this decision after his departure from the party, marking the end of his long political career.
Bawin also contributed to the public sector, holding positions such as a board member of SESCO from 1987 to 1997, and as the deputy chairman of the Lubok Antu District Council from 1988 to 1992.
The wake for Bawin will be held at St Thomas’ Cathedral Multipurpose Hall tonight (Mar 27) from 7 pm to 9 pm.
