---
title: "‘The victims will never forget’ Pandelela defends decision to reveal past trauma to raise awareness"
url: https://weirdkaya.com/pandelela-defends-reveal-trauma-raise-awareness/
date: 2021-10-26
modified: 2021-10-26
lang: en
author: "S.Y Lee"
description: "KUALA LUMPUR - Diving queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong's startling recounting of an ex-coach who had a liking for lewd jokes has been making waves online in recent weeks. In a..."
categories:
  - "Society"
  - "Sports"
image: https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/WeirdKaya-Link-Preview-5.0-29.png
word_count: 215
---

# ‘The victims will never forget’ Pandelela defends decision to reveal past trauma to raise awareness

**KUALA LUMPUR** - Diving queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong's startling recounting of an ex-coach who had a liking for lewd jokes has been making waves online in recent weeks.

In a tweet dated on October 21, she revealed how she was a victim of the coach's sexual banter and comments seven years ago.

Yesterday, the Olympian took to Twitter to tell why she decided to share her "not-so-nice" experience.

> **I shared my “not so nice” experience to give awareness to the public, and support for victims out there, who are always in dilemma, whether to speak up or stay silent."**

## Standing her ground

"Most importantly, enabler and their backups shouldn’t be glamorised. Others may forget, but not the victim," she wrote.

https://twitter.com/Pandelela_R/status/1452608449309646849

This comes after Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu [questioned](https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/10/25/why-only-bring-up-sexual-harassment-now-sports-minister-asks-olympian-diver/2015942) why Pandelela decided to speak about her experience after so long.

He also encouraged national athletes to report incidents of sexual harassment to their parents or the police.

However, [Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng](https://www.thesundaily.my/local/pandelela-should-be-applauded-and-not-questioned-says-mp-XJ8496374) retorted by saying that the national diver's decision to speak out against alleged sexual harassment by a former coach should be applauded and not disputed.

In case you are unclear over [what happened](https://weirdkaya.com/pandelela-recounts-bullied-by-ex-coach-lewd-jokes/), read this:

https://weirdkaya.com/pandelela-recounts-bullied-by-ex-coach-lewd-jokes/

### Read More:

- [Harian Metro Calls Pandelela Rinong ‘Disappointing’ & Netizens Are Not Having It](https://weirdkaya.com/harian-metro-calls-pandelela-rinong-disappointing/)
- [“Boleh lah” — Diving queen Pandelela Rinong snags bronze medal at World Championships in Budapest](https://weirdkaya.com/diving-queen-pandelela-boleh-lah-on-winning-medal/)
- [‘I didn’t say it!’ Teacher who allegedly told lewd jokes sues Ain Husniza and her father for defamation](https://weirdkaya.com/teacher-sues-ain-husniza-father-for-defamation/)
- [‘I kept quiet as I was afraid’ Pandelela recounts how she was bullied by ex-coach who often cracked lewd jokes](https://weirdkaya.com/pandelela-recounts-bullied-by-ex-coach-lewd-jokes/)
- [“Datukship isn’t my goal” Pandelela says making the nation proud is what motivates her](https://weirdkaya.com/datukship-isnt-my-goal-pandelela-says-making-the-nation-proud-is-what-motivates-her/)
- [MOH blasted over sexist article which linked women’s appearance to sexual harassment](https://weirdkaya.com/moh-blasted-over-sexist-article-which-linked-womens-appearance-to-sexual-harassment/)

---

It’s unrelated to the article but here’s our brand-new podcast – [Talk Je Lah](https://open.spotify.com/show/4IelMkYKBjhrIiYp4bdIjC?si=e-nHjzc7QjWXZgsQPMrsvw&dl_branch=1)!

---

Cover Images via [Sports 247](https://www.sports247.my/tokyo-2020-perasaan-pandelela-dan-farah-ann-bercampur/) and Twitter/ p[andelela_r](https://twitter.com/pandelela_r)

**Proofreader**: Sarah Yeoh