THANK YOU: Wong (second left) presents the cheque to Pandelela while (from left) Joseph, Sim, Dr Annuar and Tiong look on.
SIBU: London Olympics diving bronze medallist Pandelela Rinong was made RM30,000 richer yesterday when she received a cheque from the Sibu community.
Second Finance Minister and Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh presented the cheque to her at RH Hotel after the Merdeka Day celebration at the Town Square here.
Wong said the money was given as a gesture of appreciation to her for joining the celebration.
“It is an honour for us to have her here with us for the celebration. This is also an incentive for her to go one step higher. Hopefully, she will do better in the next Olympics,” he said.
He also hoped she could popularise diving and raise the local standard in the sport.
“We hope she will inspire more people to take up diving as a sport,” he added.
Tamin assemblyman Joseph Mauh, Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee, Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee and Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King were among those who witnessed the presentation of the cheque.