Congratulations pour in for Pandelela on her Datukship

National diver Pandelela Rinong was awarded with the Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak (PSBS) which carries the title ‘Datuk’.

It was awarded in conjunction with the 85th birthday of the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud today.

The pride of Kampung Kupuo Jugan took to twitter to celebrate her award by posting”Little things, little steps, made changes even a little.”

Pandelela created history by winning Malaysia’s first-ever gold medal at the FINA Diving World Cup in May this year.

She became the first female Malaysian athlete to win an Olympics medal, by getting a bronze in the 10m, platform diving event in the London Olympics.

She followed this up by winning a silver medal in Rio, together with teammate Jun Hoong in the 10m synchronized platform diving event.

Malaysians from all walks of life took to social media to congratulate the diving queen on being conferred the award.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin joined the chorus of plaudits by congratulating Pandelela saying the most decorated female Olympian was aptly knighted on Hari Sukan Negara (National Sports Day).

Other notable names among the 17 recipients who received the PSBS award include Senator Zaiedi Suhaili, Senator Dr Nuing Jeluing, Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu and Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner Deputy Comm Mancha Ata.

They were among 1326 recipients of 16 types of awards conferred in a ceremony for this years Head of State birthday celebrations.

Earlier this year Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth, and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah came under fire from netizens after saying that handing out too many rewards to national athletes is not good.

“This is because if we keep on think­ing of giv­ing re­wards ev­ery time some­body gets a gold medal or achieves fame, it will not be good,” he wrote on his official blog.

He said this in response to questions asking if the state government will confer Pandelela a Datukship in recognition of her sporting achievements.

“My re­ply to them was, she is only 28 years old and we should not spoil her,” he said.