The man who gave Sarawakians the thrills and spills of modern powerboat racing has died.

Edmund Erong Jugah, 69, died in his sleep early yesterday morning at his house in Sibu, his son Tilletson told Bernama today.

Edmund was an active speedboat racer before moving on to the more modern and  powerful powerboat racing.

When he stopped racing due to age, he began to promote powerboat racing in the state especially in Sibu, Kanowit and Kapit town.

He even bought his own imported SST Burgess tunnel and Formula 3000 racing boats to compete under his iconic ‘Meligai’ teams against teams from Kuching, Limbang and from Brunei.

Edmund also invited these teams to participate in races locally.

It was from these races that the locals were inspired to build their own versions of the sleek racing boats and races were and still are held regularly.

The late Edmund was an officer with the Police Field Force, now known as the General Operations Force, and had received Vat 69 commando training.   

He was recently appointed an honorary major with the 510 Territorial Army.

Edmund was also the eldest son of the late Jugah anak Barieng, one of Sarawak’s most prominent leaders in the federal cabinet during the time of the late first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.

His nephew Alexander Nanta Leonard Linggi is Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister.

He leaves behing wife Rosely Umbau, two sons and two daughters and many grandchildren to mourn his passing.

- Bernama