Platform of Unity

Pandelela Rinong opens up on being named the national unity icon, competing on an Olympic scale in her 30s, and the pressures of being an athlete

- Kiran Pillay

Before Dato' Pandelela Rinong was appointed the national unity icon by the Ministry of National Unity, the plan remained a closely guarded secret. Initially invited to become a board member of the Student Volunteers Foundation (Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa), the Road to Gold athlete was taken by surprise when the Minister of National Unity, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, unexpectedly revealed her new role in parliament. Reflecting on the announcement, Pandelela remarked, "The minister suddenly announced [my appointment] in parliament, and even the YSS organisation personnel were shocked.

Although it was a surprise, I am still honoured and proud to be the national unity icon." Pandelela, an ethnic Sarawakian Bidayuh with quadrilingual fluency, personifies the diverse culture of Malaysia. "To me, unity means that everyone can mix despite differences in race, with tolerance and understanding of each other's cultures and beliefs," she says.