18 Media Practitioners Receive Aid Under Tabung Kasih@HAWANA
PUTRAJAYA, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Eighteen Tamil media practitioners affected by health issues, economic hardship, and industry restructuring received aid totalling RM54,000 today through the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative.
The aid was presented by Deputy Minister of Communications Teo Nie Ching in a ceremony at the Ministry of Communications, which was also attended by the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, deputy secretary-general (Telecommunications Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran, and the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Teo said Tabung Kasih@HAWANA, formed in 2023, has experienced a remarkable increase in recipients annually since then, from 28 in 2023 to 229 in 2024, and with a target of 300 in 2025.
“As of now, in 2025, we have already reached 323 recipients and have indeed met our KPI. Overall, over the past three years, we have had 580 recipients, with total contributions amounting to RM1.7 million.
“The primary goal of the fund is to support not only active journalists but also veteran journalists and any media practitioners who are facing life challenges,” she said.
Teo said that individuals in need of assistance may contact the Bernama secretariat, which will conduct a screening process to determine eligibility before providing aid.
She also expressed hope that Tabung Kasih@HAWANA will continue in 2026 to help more media practitioners experiencing hardship.
Recipient, K. Devandran, 58, a former editor-in-chief of a local Tamil newspaper, expressed his appreciation to the ministry and the HAWANA Secretariat for the contribution.
“This is a difficult situation for us due to industry restructuring (job loss), but the assistance we received will somewhat help those of us who are affected,” he said.
The Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative symbolises the MADANI Government's commitment to nurturing compassion, empathy, and appreciation for media practitioners in the country.
-- BERNAMA
