M’sia names swimming complex after Rio medallist

KUCHING — Malaysian diver Pandelela Rinong, who won a silver at the recently concluded Rio Olympics, now has a swimming complex in Sarawak named after her for her achievement.

According to the Malay Mail Online, the Sarawak Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya will be renamed the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre. This was announced by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at a welcoming ceremony for Pandelela at the Civic Centre (Dewan Suarah).

At the ceremony, Pandelela was presented with a RM700,000 (S$232,910) condominium unit by a private company, a RM500,000 incentive from the state government and a RM100,000 reward from another private company.

The furnished condominium unit, located at the Batu Kawah New Township, was a gift from Tenaga Stabil Sdn Bhd. The residence area where the condominium is located is also named Pandelela Rinong’s Residence.

At the ceremony, Uggah announced a RM500,000 state government incentive for Pandelela. Another Sarawak private company, Techninier, also presented the diver with a RM100,000 reward for her Olympic feat.

Pandelela and team-mate Cheong Jun Hoong, who hails from Perak, won Malaysia’s first medal at the Rio Olympics when they finished second in the women’s synchronised 10m platform.

Malaysia won a total of four silvers — one in diving and three in badminton — and a bronze (cycling) at the Rio Games.

Uggah said the state government appreciated the success of Pandelela in bringing home a silver medal. “On behalf of the Sarawak state government and people, I congratulate and thank you for bringing honours to the name of the country and state,” he said.

In a brief speech, Pandelela said she was very thankful to all Malaysians, especially Sarawakians, for praying for her success.

Last week, shuttler Lee Chong Wei received a fully furnished three-bedroom condominium in Kuala Lumpur worth RM1.5 million from its developer, as a reward for winning silver in the men’s singles.

All silver medallists have received RM500,000 from the Malaysian government, while cyclist Azizulhasni Awang, who won bronze in the men’s keirin, received RM300,000.

They have all also been individually rewarded by their state governments.