Entri (fourth left) presenting the cheque to Felicia Muyat while PTA chairman David Along (seconnd left) and others look on
LAPOK: Former Sukma weightlifting champion Felicia Muyat was teary and shell-shocked with an unexpected recognition and incentive for her contributions and sacrifice that have made the people of Marudi constituency and the state proud.
Earlier this week, Marudi state assemblyman and Assistant Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Sylvester Entri anak Murang surprised her with a RM5,000 cheque at a school PTA event at SK Lapok, about 90 minutes drive from Miri.
Felica is currently attached to the state sports council to train young talents at her alma mater SMK Tinjar, a stone’s throw from SK Lapok.
She recalled Entri allocating funds to her school to purchase weightlifting equipment some years back. The gutsy lass went on to win gold and silver medals in 15th Sukma held in Kuantan, Pahang in 2012
She took the gold in the Clean & Jerk (63 kg), lifting 93 kg to beat Khairani Mohd Malek of Johore and Noor Hasliza Sabani of Pahang to second and third place respectively.
Felicia claimed the silver in the snatch event. It was Entri’s decision to surprise Felicia in her own backyard. Her hometown is Lapok in Tinjar in the newly created Beluru district.
“I hope she would continue to bring more honour to Marudi and the state and wish her the best in her endeavours,” Entri said.
He hoped her success will inspire weightlifting talents under her wing to gun for glory for the state. Felicia, a Berawan-Penan from Long Meligan, continues to train for competition apart from taking charge of the students training at SMK Tinjar.
Meanwhile, Entri also presented RM20,000 in MRP grant to the PTA of SK Lapok to carry out their activities.
The Penan community at Sungai Menok near the primary school were grateful to Entri for approving RM60,000 on the spot to purchase materials to complete their longhouse during his visit there in March this year.
Electricity supply has also reached the longhouse this year under the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES).