Malaysian Olympian Pandelela Rinong Finally Knighted With a Dato’ Title!

Malaysian diver Pandelela Rinong Pamg has today been conferred with the title of Dato’ by her home state of Sarawak in conjunction with the 85th birthday of Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

28-year-old Pandelela who recently represented Malaysia in the Tokyo Olympics is the most decorated female Olympian Malaysia ever produced and has won two Olympic medals and five World Championships medals.

Little things, little steps, made changes even a little.

— Pandelela Rinong (@Pandelela_R) October 9, 2021

Malaysia’s diving queen is among 17 recipients who was conferred with the Darjah Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak (PSBS) which carries the Dato’ title. The other recipients include:

• Senator Zaiedi Suhaili
• Senator Dr Nuing Jeluing
• Lingga assemblywoman Simoi Peri
• Samalaju assemblyman Majang Renggi
• Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu
• DCP Mancha Ata
• Datin Zaliha Christine Abdullah
• Dr Chin ZinHing
• Haidar Khan Asghar Khan
• Prof Dr Spencer Empading Sanggin
• Christopher Adrian
• Chai VoonTok
• Dona Babel
• Polit Hamzah
• Temenggong Wilfred Billy Panyau
• Temenggong Austin Dimin Niyon

Coincidentally, today is also the National Sports Day (Hari Sukan Negara) which makes the occasion of Pandelela’s Datukship a memorable one.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who was then Youth and Sports Minister when Pandelela first represented Malaysia in the Olympics leads the congratulatory appreciation for Dato’ Pandelela’s achievement.

Taking to Twitter, Khairy commented:

Apt and fitting that on Hari Sukan Negara this year, our most decorated female Olympian ⁦@Pandelela_R⁩ is finally knighted by her home state of Sarawak. Congratulations, Dato’ Pandelela! pic.twitter.com/6lwoIBsNIE

— Khairy Jamaluddin ??? (@Khairykj) October 9, 2021

Awesome and truly well deserved. We’re proud of you Dato’ Pandelela!

Also read: “We’re proud of you!” Diving Queen Pandelela Rinong Places 12th In Olympics 10m Diving