Tabung Kasih@HAWANA Benefits Three More Recipients

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- Tabung Kasih@HAWANA continues to demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of media practitioners as three more recipients benefitted from the initiative today.

The Star news editor Ng Li Yiao, 56, who is battling breast cancer, said that such donations make her feel appreciated after contributing to the field of journalism over the past 31 years.

“This donation not only will help with covering my medical expenses but also with my daily needs because people who are ill require nutritious food, and we know that nutritious food is expensive.

"This assistance means a lot to me as a single mother who is raising twins, currently studying at university," she said after receiving the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA donation today.

The Tabung Kasih@HAWANA contribution was presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the climax event of National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today.

Also present at the event were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.

Others who attended the event were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa; Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who also serves as HAWANA 2025 project director; as well as top management of the national media companies.

Meanwhile, Rusmin Fadzil, 62 said the donation received will help her to buy necessities when she is admitted to the ward for treatment of the skin disease, TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura), that she is facing.

"Such contributions are important for media practitioners who are no longer working and have no source of income. With such a contribution, it can help lighten my financial burden.

"I was first diagnosed with TTP in October 2022. I need to undergo follow-up treatment every six months," said Rusmin, who had served in Karangkraf for over 30 years.

Makkal Osai editor Murugan Perumal, 67, said he is very grateful to be selected as a Tabung Kasih@HAWANA recipient.

Murugan, who has been a journalist for 41 years, said these donations to media practitioners should be continued to help alleviate the financial burden of this group who are ill while still in service or after retirement.

Since its launch at the HAWANA 2023 celebration in Ipoh, Perak, the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA has benefitted 441 media practitioners nationwide with contributions exceeding RM1.2 million.

Tabung Kasih@HAWANA was established as an initiative by the Ministry of Communications, implemented through Bernama, to assist journalists and media practitioners, whether they are still in service or retired, who are facing financial difficulties.

-- BERNAMA