Two Sabah Media Practitioners Receive Aid From Tabung Kasih@HAWANA

PENAMPANG, 24 Julai (Bernama) -- Tabung Kasih@HAWANA’s has brought much-needed cheer and meaningful support to two media practitioners in Sabah who are battling health challenges.

One of the recipients, Sabah State Information Department photographer Vicky Sylvester Matanjang, 52, said he was moved by the kind gesture of Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who personally visited his home in Kampung Hungab here today to deliver the contribution.

“I feel appreciated, even though I’m just a photographer. Today is my first day back at work, but I’m only doing light duties as I haven’t fully recovered,” said Vicky, who sustained serious injuries in a road accident in March.

He said the initiative also reflected the MADANI government’s concern for the welfare of those facing hardship, especially media practitioners nationwide.

Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa; Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin; Sabah State Information Department director Jainisah Mohd Noor; and Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) president Mariah Doksil.

Sabah Media journalist Hafizul Andie Zulkarnain, 35, who is still recovering from surgery for a bowel complication and ruptured appendix in June, expressed his heartfelt thanks after receiving the contribution from Nur-ul Afida at his residence in Sepanggar, Kota Kinabalu, last Tuesday.

“Thank you for taking the time to visit and hand over the contribution. It will definitely help with my treatment expenses during my recovery,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nur-ul Afida said media associations in Sabah could reach out to the secretariat of Tabung Kasih@HAWANA, managed by Bernama, to provide information on media practitioners facing health issues or hardships.

“I would like to seek the cooperation of media associations in Sabah to share information with us so that we can assist our fellow media practitioners in need,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mariah expressed hope that the SJA could serve as a key platform for coordinating aid to media practitioners in need.

“We will suggest the names of those eligible to receive donations and assist in providing the necessary information,” she said.

The Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative reflects the spirit of Malaysia MADANI by upholding values of compassion and care, particularly for media practitioners who have long contributed to society but are now facing life or health challenges.

The fund was established as a Communications Ministry initiative and implemented through Bernama to support serving and retired journalists and other media practitioners who are facing hardships or financial difficulties.

To date, a total of 463 media practitioners nationwide have benefited from the initiative.

-- BERNAMA