KUCHING – Sarawak leaders voiced their support for diving star Datuk Pandelela Rinong after she revealed in a series of tweets that she was bullied by a coach whom she berated for constantly making lewd jokes.
Bung Bratak Heritage Association chairman Datuk Peter Minos said her allegations must be investigated immediately, and there must be no cover-ups of any sort.
“I am unhappy and angry that someone has bullied our diving queen whose hard work and diving prowess has brought so much fame and recognition to the humble Bidayuh community.
“This is bad and totally unacceptable. The community is outraged and the matter must be swiftly investigated, and the coach responsible for these lewd jokes and bullying must be made to face the music,” Minos told The Vibes.
“We are also glad that Pandelela has exposed the matter publicly and candidly. Her revelation will do a very good turn for other national sportswomen and men who have faced – and are facing – such crude pressure from their coaches and trainers as this is not the first time such allegations have been made.”
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau echoed similar comments on Pandelela’s allegations.
He told The Vibes that the diving star’s allegation is a serious matter and it must be promptly investigated and action taken against the coach.
“We trust our coaches and sports trainers to care for our athletes and produce sportsmen and women of international repute. This should never have happened to Pandelela or any other sports person.”
He said the country can lose potential sportsmen and women if trainers and coaches take advantage of the vulnerable position of their charges, especially females in the state and national squads.
“What if parents lose the trust of our coaches and trainers and disallow their children from training away from home?
“I, for one, will not allow my children to be trained or represent our nation if the person I trust to train and care for my child’s development has such a reputation.
“The goverment must issue a strong warning to all coaches and there must not be a cover-up on the diver’s allegation at the top level.
“What is wrong is wrong, and what is right is right. I salute Pandelela for raising the matter courageously. Other sportswomen who are silently suffering while being bullied and taken advantage of by their trainers and coaches must emulate Pandelela and speak up.”
Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak president Bobby William welcomed Pandelela’s stance to publicly highlight the issue.
“Thank you Pandelela, for breaking your silence. I think she is not the only athlete to have suffered from a bully coach and one who has tried to take advantage of her vulnerability. Come to think of it, these could be reasons too why some athletes perform poorly and lose the chance of standing on the pedestal.
“The government should not push this issue under the carpet, but investigate the matter thoroughly and punish the coach, as this is not the first time such complaints have been made by our sportswomen,” he added.
DAP’s Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii also applauded Pandelela in speaking, out even though she will still face judgment and pressure from certain parties for doing so.
“We should always provide a safe environment for our athletes from physical or mental abuse, which will directly impact on their performances on the field – or in her case, the pool. There is no room for harassment and sexism in sports.”
He added that her courage to stand up for what is right will continue to inspire others.
“This is sexual harassment and Pandelela has spoken out,” said Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak president Lina Soo.
“The coach using his position to bully young charges under his care, is abominable. The ministry should appoint a special lady officer to monitor and handle any complaints of sexual harassment, and the offender dealt with severely and immediately.
“With this mechanism in place to deter and prevent, then our lady athletes will feel safe. No sportswoman should ever have to face such bullying and harassment.”
Pandelela today alleged that a coach had previously made lewd remarks in her presence and when she once chided him for it, he started to bully her.
“At one particular time, I had a coach who liked to make lewd jokes. I was always silent and didn’t even try to fake a laugh as I was afraid of him.”
Seven years later, the coach was accused of rape and then acquitted after the prosecution withdrew its appeal in the Court of Appeal.
Her sudden revelations came after local actor Fauzi Nawawi recently blurted that he “boasted about how he enjoyed filming the rape scene” that was deleted from the 2007 movie “Anak Halal”.
On talk show “Rumah No. 107” that aired on Astro, Fauzi was asked if he preferred doing robbery or rape scenes, which he then answered “both”.
“When people say I look like a rapist, I feel more excited to film the scene,” the Gerak Khas actor was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.
“She was wearing tight shorts and her legs were spread out.
“The crew were all watching us, we were all sweating. I was trying my best to control my tiredness and lust.”
He later apologised after civil society groups and Malaysians condemned him for trivialising rape. – The Vibes, October 21, 2021
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