HAWANA 2026: PM Anwar Presents Tabung Kasih Aid To Three Media Practitioners
BUTTERWORTH, June 20 (Bernama) -- Tabung Kasih@HAWANA remains a welfare platform for media practitioners, with three more members of the industry receiving assistance to help ease their burden as they grapple with health issues.
The contributions were presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 highlight event at the PICCA@Arena Butterworth Convention Centre here today, which was also attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The three recipients are former Media Prima production executive Noraini @ Talhah Mat Tahir; Makkal Osai journalist Guanalan Sengalaney; and former Kwong Wah Yit Poh stiringer Ch’ng Lay Wah.
Noraini, who has served the media industry for 30 years, said she has been suffering from severe osteoarthritis since January, and that the condition has made it necessary for her to undergo total knee replacement surgery.
“Thank you for selecting me as a recipient of this Tabung Kasih@HAWANA. This contribution will greatly help me cover my very high medical expenses,” Noraini, 63, told Bernama.
Meanwhile, Guanalan, 61, said the assistance has given him the motivation to continue undergoing treatment for his heart disease and high blood pressure.
Guanalan, who has 17 years of experience in journalism, said the cost of treatment and the medication he must take regularly requires careful financial planning.
“I am currently working as a live streamer to help cover daily expenses. I have four dependents - my wife and three children,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lay Wah’s younger sister, 55-year-old Ch’ng Goet Tin, said the contribution would greatly help with her sister’s medical needs, as she has been battling breast cancer for the past two years.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Ministry of Communications for this contribution. My sister could not attend because her health condition is not good. She now has to undergo chemotherapy and wound care treatment every day,” she said.
Tabung Kasih@HAWANA, established in 2023, has benefited 773 media practitioners nationwide, involving total assistance amounting to RM2.26 million.
The initiative was created to assist current and former media practitioners in need through financial aid, medical assistance, family welfare support and other forms of assistance.
Earlier, when officiating the HAWANA 2026 highlight event, Anwar announced an additional RM1 million allocation for the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA as part of the government's continued support for the welfare of media practitioners in the country.
-- BERNAMA
