Sabah Landslide: Veteran Journalist Receives Aid Under Kasih@HAWANA Fund

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 16 (Bernama)  -- The Ministry of Communications continues to demonstrate its concern for the welfare of media practitioners through the Kasih@HAWANA Fund, extending assistance to a journalist affected by the recent landslide in Sabah.

Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who is currently on a working visit to Sabah, personally presented the aid to 66-year-old Asia Times Pulse part-time journalist, Salamat Tambanan, who lost his home in the disaster at Kampung Sarapung, Penampang.

The assistance, comprising financial support and essential supplies, is aimed at easing the burden faced by Salamat and serves as a token of appreciation for his long-standing contributions to journalism.

Also present at the aid presentation ceremony were the Ministry of Communications secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also the Project Director for HAWANA 2025.

Salamat, the 31st recipient of the fund in Sabah, has served as a part-time journalist with Asia Times Pulse since 1979.

Launched in conjunction with National Journalists Day (HAWANA) 2023, the Kasih@HAWANA Fund is an initiative by the Ministry of Communications through Bernama that has, to date, provided aid to 533 media practitioners nationwide.

Recounted how his home, built three years ago, was buried by the landslide, Salamat said he and his wife were not at home during the incident.

“At the time, we had gone to town to buy groceries. When we returned, there was flooding at the Kampung Kulopis Bridge, and the water level had risen, so we couldn’t pass through. We had to spend the night in the car,” he said.

He said the next morning, after the floodwaters receded, they had to walk through heavy mud before they finally reached their hilltop home, but only to discover it had been buried under soil.

“Fortunately, we were not home when it happened. If we were, the story would have been different,” said Salamat, or better known as ‘John’ among media colleagues.

The veteran journalist also expressed his heartfelt thanks to Fahmi, the ministry and the Kasih@HAWANA Fund for their care and support.

“Thank you for the aid, which somehow helps ease our burden. I hope this assistance will continue to be extended to members of the media,” he added.

-- BERNAMA