BUTTERWORTH, June 20 (Bernama) -- Telekom Malaysia (TM) has been announced as the new strategic partner of Tabung Kasih@HAWANA, contributing RM500,000 to ensure the continuity of welfare assistance for media practitioners and former media practitioners in the country.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the contribution, made through a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, would enable more media personnel in need to receive financial assistance.
“My highest appreciation and thanks to TM for its commitment and concern in supporting the welfare of media practitioners through this highly meaningful contribution,” he said at the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 Grand Finale here today.
The event, themed “Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility”, was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai and Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, who is also HAWANA 2026 Working Committee chairman.
Fahmi said that since its introduction in April 2023, Tabung Kasih@HAWANA has disbursed RM2.26 million in aid to 773 media practitioners nationwide.
He expressed hope that more government-linked companies (GLCs) and local private firms would emulate TM’s initiative in supporting local media organisations through various forms of strategic collaboration, including CSR programmes, sponsorships and industry development initiatives.
He said this was important as media companies are currently facing significant challenges in advertising expenditure, with spending on advertising placements and media buys declining from RM4.5 billion annually to about RM2 billion a year in recent years.
“Therefore, the message I wish to convey to companies, including GLCs and others, is to seize this opportunity and place your media buys with local media companies,” he said.
Fahmi also said the Communications Ministry would support the implementation of Project Sigma 2.0, spearheaded by Google Malaysia in collaboration with the Malaysian Media Council and the Malaysian Press Institute, to ensure media personnel continue to have opportunities to enhance their knowledge in technology and artificial intelligence.
At the same time, he welcomed stronger regional media ties through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Bernama and TATOLI, the national news agency of Timor-Leste.
According to him, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening regional media cooperation, promoting credible journalism and enhancing information exchange among ASEAN member states.
“This collaboration is especially meaningful as Timor-Leste became ASEAN’s 11th member during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur last year. Malaysia welcomes this achievement as proof of ASEAN’s commitment to inclusivity, regional unity and shared prosperity,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
