SIBU: The late Corporal Petrus Linggi Liman, 28, who was accidentally shot dead by a civilian in Song while on a hunting trip has been described as a good friend and brother.
At the time of the Monday (Sept 23) morning incident the victim was undergoing training in the forest area of Batu 5, Jalan Balak Multiplus, Song.
Petrus's cousin Desmond Leo Naga Janting, 27, in an interview on Tuesday (Sept 24) said he was heartbroken as he could not return to his longhouse to pay his last respects to the deceased at Rumah Janting Dundang, Sungai Lemujan, Pakan in Sarikei.
Desmond is currently abroad and has just returned to their longhouse last week to attend the Gawai Antu Ceremony.
"I really didn't expect that he would leave us just like that. The last time I met him was during the Gawai festival last year at our longhouse.
"On July 18 I WhatsApped him asking him how he was.
"I didn't know that it would be the last time I contacted him," he said.
Leo said both of them had been like brothers and good friends since childhood until they separated to pursue their respective careers.
Because of that, he said, they rarely meet except during Gawai Dayak and also only during year-end vacation.
"He was a quiet person but he was good at cracking jokes. What I admired about him was that he was an independent and resilient, person. That's why he was able to join the army," he said.
According to Desmond, the deceased was the only son in his family.
"The deceased had an elder sister and four younger sisters. So... he was the only man who was the hope of the family. I didn't expect he would 'go' like that, I really didn't think so," he said, still sad and surprised by Petrus' death.
Meanwhile, a post-mortem on the deceased's body was done at Sibu Hospital at around 3pm Tuesday.
Immediately after that, the body was taken to St Anthony's Church, Royal Ranger Regiment 3rd Battalion Camp (3RRD) in Jalan Oya for prayer an hour later.
The body would be buried on September 27 at Rumah Janting Dundang, Sungai Lemujan, Pakan in Sarikei.
