PRIZED SIGNATURE: Pandelela autographs a poster by The Borneo Post of her historic win at the Kuching International Airport yesterday. Hundreds were at the airport to welcome Sarawak’s diving sensation home yesterday. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu is seen at second right while and Sports Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin is at right. — Photo by Bong Yi Sien
Olympics bronze medallist first athlete to be conferred JBK
KUCHING: Malaysia’s first woman to win a medal in the Olympics Games, Pandelela Rinong, broke another record yesterday when she became the first athlete in the state to be conferred the Johan Bintang Kenyalang (JBK).
The 19-year-old who won the bronze medal in the women’s 10m dive platform at the London Olympics was conferred the award, which is a rank below a Datuk title, by Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin at a special investiture ceremony in the Astana here yesterday.
Met after the presentation ceremony, Pandelela, a Bidayuh from Kampung Jugan in Bau said she felt greatly honoured to be bestowed with such a prestigious award.
“Before receiving the award from Tun I felt so nervous, more nervous than diving, but when it was over, the feeling was one of great honour. The state award is a pride to my family, me and the whole Bidayuh community. Thank you, Tun,” she said.
Her father, Pamg Joheng said: “As a father I am proud of the award knowing that my daughter is the first state athlete to receive such an award from the Head of State”.
Among those present at the function were Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Norkiah, Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib and several state cabinet ministers and their spouses.
CONGRATULATIONS: The Head of State pinning the JBK medal onto Pandelela as Taib looks on.
Bung Bratak Heritage Association, which Pandelela is member of, said the conferment of the JBK award to Pandelela was a fitting token of appreciation for what the diver had done for the state.
“Hopefully, when Pandelela brings in more achievements in the coming years she will again be appropriately rewarded. It is good that Sarawak honours its herioine, just like what the federal government has done.
“Malaysians should be inspired and motivated if her contribution is noted and appreciated,” the association president Datuk Peter Minos said.
He added that the association and the entire Bidayuh community were very happy and proud of Pandelela as she had put them in a better light and made the community more known and noted.
“To us, Pandelela is our true heroine of the top order,” he said.