Eight Sarawak Media Practitioners Receive Tabung Kasih@HAWANA Aid

KUCHING, 22 Mei (Bernama) -- Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching today presented contributions under the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative to eight media practitioners in Sarawak who are facing health issues and hardship.

The eight recipients are Mohamad Ghaz Ghazali and Lim How Pim of The Borneo Post; Indun Silong and Zarina Abdullah of Suara Sarawak; Mohammad Roji Abdullah (Media Prima); Kong Jun Liung (See Hua Daily News); Abdul Majid Azman (The Malaysia Press); and Alan Jay E. Evangelista (Sarawak Tribune).

Mohamad Ghaz, 48, senior editor at The Borneo Post, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the assistance extended under the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative following floods that affected his home on New Year’s Eve 2026.

“The contribution received has helped, to some extent, cover the cost of replacing household items damaged by the floods,” he told Bernama at the donation presentation ceremony held in conjunction with the ‘Love Bandar Kuching’ programme organised by the Photomedia and Design Club at Tropics City here today.

Also present were Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama)  chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Bernama Head of Corporate Affairs Mariati Mohd Arif and Bernama Sarawak Bureau chief Ammar Shafiq Hamzah.

Mohamad Ghaz also said the assistance reflected the government’s and relevant agencies’ concern for the welfare of media practitioners going through difficult times.

Tabung Kasih@HAWANA is an initiative by the Communications Ministry to assist media practitioners in need, with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) serving as the implementing agency.

Meanwhile, Suara Sarawak journalist Indun Silong, 35, described the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative as a thoughtful effort to assist journalists in need.

She said floods that occurred several times last year and this year caused extensive damage to furniture and household items, resulting in heavy losses for her family.

“With the support of Tabung Kasih@HAWANA, I feel that media practitioners are not forgotten and that our contributions continue to be appreciated, especially during trying times.

“As journalists, we often work behind the scenes. Assistance and appreciation like this motivate us to continue carrying out our responsibilities with dedication,” she said.

Since its launch at National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2023, Tabung Kasih@HAWANA has benefited 766 media practitioners nationwide, reflecting the MADANI Government’s continued commitment to safeguarding the welfare of the media community, particularly those in need of assistance.

--BERNAMA