The Malaysian Olympian as well as Paralympian Abdul Latif Romly received their Panglima Mahkota Wilayah in conjunction with Federal Territories Day
It's now Datuk Leong Mun Yee and Datuk Abdul Latif Romly. The athletes were conferred the Panglima Mahkota Wilayah medals, granting them the datukship title, by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara on February 8, 2022, in conjunction with Federal Territories Day that fell on February 1. Both are also on Tatler's list of Asia's Most Influential.
When contacted, former national diver Leong revealed that the datukship took her by surprise. "I was stunned but happy when I heard the news. The honour is a recognition to my contributions to the country." She has since retired from active competition; Ipoh-born Leong, 37, has been diving since she was 10.
See also: All The Olympic Medals Malaysia Has Ever Won
Leong has the distinction of being the first and only Malaysian to qualify for the Olympics five times. She and her former diving partner Datuk Pandelela Rinong made history when they won Malaysia's first ever diving medal, a bronze, at the World Aquatics Championships in 2009. The pair would go on to win a silver at the 2019 World Championships. Leong competed in her last Olympic Games in Tokyo last year.
"At the moment, I'm helping out the national team as a coach. I'm also planning to set up a diving academy in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh," she says.
