KUCHING: Top Bidayuh leaders have come in chorus to congratulate diving queen Pandelela Rinong Pamg for winning silver in the 10m synchronised diving with her partner Cheong Jun Hoong in Brazil early yesterday morning.
Pandelela from Kpg Jugan in Bau has been the pride of the community and their role model since she won the bronze medal at the London Olympics four years ago.
With that win, she was accorded the JBK from the state government.
As such, Bung Bratak Heritage chairman and Samarahan Walikota Dato Peter Minos called on the government to bestow on her the Datukship as her reward.
“Because Pandalela is from Kpg Jugan of Bung Bratak area, I’m naturally so happy that she has brought great pride and honour to Sarawak and Malaysia.
“Last time in London Olympics she got bronze and now at Rio a silver. This is great and a promotion. Next Olympic maybe gold and that will the best and first for Malaysia.
“Yes, first for Malaysia, even now. So the government must give recognition as had been done for Datuk Lee Chong Wei – give Pandalela a Datukship, not just a million. She is after all a Malaysian heroine, not just of Sarawak or Bung Bratak,” Minos told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Minos also revealed that Pandelela and her family donated their piece of land to the association for their car park at the foothill of Mt Bratak.
Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik also commended Pandelela’s achievement.
“Pandalela has been a role model not only for Bidayuh youths but also the state’s youth. She has been invited by DBNA and the state to speak and appear at numerous functions and activities.
“We in DBNA will pursue whatever reward deemed fit as a recognition for her feat and success.
“The community is proud of her and confident a few more youths will follow her footsteps not necessarily in diving but other sports and fields,” said Ik Pahon.
He hoped Pandelala will deliver the ultimate prize – the gold in the 10m individual synchro.
Minister of Youth and Sports and Solidarity Dato Sri Michael Manyin also congratulated the two silver medallists.
“Yes, history is once again created by a rural Bidayuh girl. This time is even better, a silver. Congratulations to the pair who made history for Malaysia. We are indeed very proud of them,” said Manyin.
Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil also commended Pandelela on her achievement.
“This is synchronised diving at 10 metres. This is a tremendous improvement from the previous international diving. This is a pride to Sarawak and Malaysia and particularly the Bidayuh community,” said the Mambong assemblyman.