Fahmi Presents Tabung Kasih@HAWANA Contribution To Ex-NST Editor Goh

PENAMPANG, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil today visited former New Straits Times (NST) news editor Roy Anthony Goh, who suffered a stroke, at his residence in Kampung Dabak, near here.

Fahmi also presented a contribution from the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA fund to the 54-year-old Goh, the 147th recipient since its introduction in 2023.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Fahmi said the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA fund, established in conjunction with National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2023, aimed to support journalists and media personnel, both active and retired, who are unwell or in need of assistance.

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"The Tabung Kasih@HAWANA fund is an initiative of the Communications Ministry, implemented by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama). Goh is the 12th recipient in Sabah, so far, and Bernama manages it. I understand that another recipient will also receive this contribution next week.

"The Prime Minister has provided a fund of RM2 million to care for the welfare and needs of journalists. I hope Goh and his family will benefit from this contribution,” he said. 

Also present during the visit were Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedict, also the Penampang Member of Parliament, and Bernama deputy editor-in-chief (News Service) Nasriah Darus.

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Fahmi also urged Bernama to collaborate with media clubs in every state to speed up the identification and channelling of Tabung Kasih@HAWANA aid.

"Not necessary for a minister, deputy minister of the Bernama Chief Executive Officer to be there to present the contribution… what we want is for such aid to reach those in need immediately,” he said.

Goh suffered a stroke in July 2018, causing his movement to be limited due to weakness in his right hand and right leg and he is currently undergoing regular treatment.

Goh began his journalism career in 1993 as an editor with the Borneo Mail, where he spent eight years, before serving as a correspondent for The Sun in 2001, chief editor at the Borneo Post from 2001-2004 and editor at NST for 14 years from 2004-2018.

Meanwhile, Ewon hopes that the contribution will help ease the burden faced by Goh, who was recently affected by the floods that hit the Penampang area.

"I want to thank the Communications Minister for visiting Goh, who resides in my constituency… I hope such programmes will continue to be implemented to assist our media friends who need help, especially those with health issues,” he said.

Goh, meanwhile, said the aid would greatly benefit him and his family.

"Thank you Tabung Kasih@HAWANA and I hope this aid will also be channelled to other media personnel in need, not only those with health issues but also others facing problems like floods.

"I am still actively writing as a stringer and I also do gardening in my yard,” he said.

-- BERNAMA