Pandelela hailed as heroine of Bung Bratak Bidayuh community

Pandelela Rinong, who recently won Malaysia’s first-ever Fina Diving World Cup gold medal, has been called a heroine of the Bung Bratak Bidayuh community.

Bung Bratak Heritage Association president Datuk Peter Minos said as the 28year-old diving queen is from Kampung Jugan, Bau, she is “a great heroine of Bung Bratak like the late Paul Nyopis”.

Minos said it was up to the state and country how to reciprocate and honour such an exceptionally outstanding person of the very highest order.

“Datuk or no Datuk, I salute and honour Pandelela for bringing great respect and pride to Sarawak and Malaysia, apart from the Dayak and Bidayuh community.

“Whatever the state government gives or awards her, in whatever form, we say ‘thank you very much’,” he said.

He said BBHA feels like it has also been placed on a pedestal when seeing and reading how Sarawakians and Malaysians have praised Pandelela.

“These really make you feel happy and proud as members of the Bidayuh and Dayak community.

“It’s not easy to describe the feeling in words but it is there. Yes, it is real,” he said.

Pandelela won the gold medal in the women’s 10-metre platform at the Fina Diving World Cup on May 5.

Paul, from Kampung Opar, was the first Bidayuh to be awarded the Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB) for bravery.

The retired corporal is best known for single-handedly fighting 15 terrorists from Pasukan Rakyat Kalimantan Utara (Paraku) at Jalan SebukuTondong, Bau on April 15, 1972.

Paul retired after 21 years of service with the Royal Ranger Regiment.

For his heroism, he was awarded the PGB, which he received from the Yang diPertuan Agong in conjunction with the King’s birthday on June 8, 1978.

He died at the age of 71 on Dec 22, 2013.