PUTRAJAYA: A total of 405 media practitioners have benefited from a special fund launched in conjunction with National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) in 2023.
Communication Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (pic), who disclosed this, said more media practitioners will receive aid with the Hawana 2025 celebration scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
He said media practitioners who previously received assistance will also get aid.
“If there is anyone we need to reach out to and provide additional assistance for, I will ask that this matter be looked into,” he told reporters after presenting the Tabung Kasih@Hawana contribution to New Straits Times photo editor Ikhwan Munir, 50, who is undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer at Putrajaya Hospital yesterday, Bernama reported.
Also present were Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Media Prima Group managing editor Jasbant Singh.
The fund, an initiative of the Communications Ministry, is managed by Bernama.
Fahmi said the national news agency would continue to monitor the needs of Ikhwan, who has two children aged seven and 23.
“Ikhwan has been battling health issues over the past few weeks, so his wife is unable to work. Bernama will continue to monitor to see if we need to provide further help to him,” he added.
The minister said he also took the opportunity during his visit to seek feedback from the hospital management on telecommunication coverage and Internet access at the health facility.
“They are satisfied, though they did say there is a minor issue with one of the telcos at the new wing. I have asked this telco to help optimise their services,” said Fahmi.
