KUCHING: Former Sarawak Tribune editor Valentine Tawie Salok, was laid to rest at the Anglican cemetery in Nanga Assam, Saratok, this afternoon (Sept 12).
His nephew, Thomas, when contacted said the casket was brought from Kuching and arrived at the cemetery at 12 pm.
He added that doctors confirmed Valentine’s cause of death as coronary atherosclerosis.
Born on Oct 20, 1954, in Kedap, Saratok, Valentine was reported to have been living alone and passed away a few days ago.
On Sept 10, it was reported that his lifeless body was found in a rented room at Metrocity here.
The discovery was made after a concerned tenant alerted the police.
Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu confirmed the case, saying a police team was dispatched to the scene to recover and transport the body to the hospital for further action.
Well known in the journalism fraternity, Valentine served the Sarawak Tribune as editor and columnist, and was regarded as a pioneering figure in Iban journalism.
In 2006, he started Berita Iban at Utusan Borneo and became its first editor before joining The Borneo Post as news editor in 2009.
In 2011, he joined Sarawak Tribune as an editor, while continuing to contribute Iban articles to Utusan Sarawak.
Although he retired from Sarawak Tribune two years ago, he remained active as a columnist and contributor.
Beyond journalism, Valentine was also known for his passion for music. He was among the few Elvis Presley impersonators in Sarawak, performing under the stage name ‘Elval’.
