Who Is Watson Nyambek

Watson  Nyambek (dubbed the Flying Dayak), who holds a 17-year Malaysian record for the fastest 100m, has been declared a  bankrupt over a bank loan he took to pay for his late father’s medical expenses. Watson clocked 10.30s to create the national record for the 100m sprint at the 1998 Malaysian Amateur Athletics Championships when he was 22. That record still holds today.

The Insolvency Department officially declared the 40-year-old a bankrupt for failing to settle the loan from Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad.

Watson, dubbed the “Flying Dayak” - “Some years ago, I borrowed RM80,000 from the bank to pay for the medical bills of my late father who was suffering from ear cancer. The ear cancer later spread to his eyes. He passed away two years ago,” he said.

The Miri native is employed by the Sarawak Sports Council as an athletics coach in his hometown but said he was unable to settle the loan plus its interest due to low pay. His bank loan debt, including interest, is over RM100,000.

He added that he had sought help from a senior Sarawak minister for financial assistance to ease his burden two years ago. “I have not heard of anything from him,” he said.