By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 11: Datuk Willie Mongin intends to meet with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican to discuss about a suitable reward to honour World Cup gold medalist and Sarawakian diving champion Pandelela Rinong Pamg.
The Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities took note of Pandelela’s achievement in bringing honour to Sarawak and Malaysia after winning a gold medal in the women’s 10m platform individual event in the Fina Diving World Cup 2021 on May 5.
“Pandelela is a proven young athlete with great potential. She is indeed deserving of recognition in any form of reward.
“As a Bidayuh Deputy Minister in the federal government, I am determined to help and support her in any way that I can.
“Therefore, I will discuss with the Minister of Youth and Sports and the Prime Minister to suggest the appropriate type of appreciation and recognition for her,” he said in a statement today.
This is not the first time Willie had voiced out support for rewards for Pandelela. Back in 2012, he had also called upon the State government to provide the diving queen with incentives which are sustainable in nature following her feat in becoming the first Malaysian female athlete to win an Olympic medal when she earned a bronze medal in the 10m platform diving event at the 2012 Summer Olympic games.
Willie who is also the Puncak Borneo MP further urged the private sector and corporate companies to come forward to reward Pandelela whether in the form of financial sponsorship, contributions and so on.
“With this, I would like to express my support for her to continue to achieve success in the future for the sake of making Sarawak and Malaysia famous,” he said. — DayakDaily
