Sabah:The Tabung Kasih @ HAWANA fund has provided RM2.54 million in financial aid to 864 media practitioners and veteran journalists across the country since its inception in 2023.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching highlighted that 37 recipients of this assistance are media practitioners from Sabah. This year alone, the fund has assisted 258 recipients, including four from Sabah. Teo encouraged journalists needing support to reach out to BERNAMA, which serves as the secretariat for this initiative.

The Deputy Minister expressed hope that the fund, supported by Telekom Malaysia (TM), will alleviate the burdens faced by journalists, especially during challenging periods. Her remarks came during a visit to the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Sabah Bureau Office, where she presented aid to three Sabah media practitioners.

Bernama's chief executive officer, Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, explained that Tabung Kasih @ HAWANA is an initiative by the Ministry of Communications, with BERNAMA responsible for managing the aid's distribution. This year, the fund benefits from TM's support, aimed at helping media personnel in need. She urged media colleagues to inform BERNAMA of practitioners facing health issues or financial hardships, so appropriate assistance can be provided.

During today's event, TV3 executive cameraman Mohammed Fairuz Mohammed Yazzer, RTM producer Kamarudin Abdullah, and RTM producer Floris Philip, all based in Sabah, received aid. They suffer from conditions including a slipped cervical disc, accident-related injuries, and a heart condition, respectively.