KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — Donations channelled to the Tabung Kasih@Hawana initiative under the Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD) continue to provide relief to the country’s media practitioners who need help.
Veteran journalists Fauziah Abd Samad, 68, and Fauziah Raof, 79, received the donations at their homes today, which were presented by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Deputy Editor-in-Chief of News Service Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Economic News Service Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
Tabung Kasih@Hawana was established in conjunction with the 2023 National Journalists’ Day celebrations (Hawana 2023) to reach out to media practitioners, former media personnel and veteran journalists who are facing difficulties.
It is an initiative of the KKD and is implemented through Bernama, as part of continuing efforts to help the media community.
Fauziah Abd Samad told Bernama she began her career in 1972 working for Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), Berita Harian, The New Straits Times, and The Malay Mail, besides venturing into script writing and acting.
She said she is proud of the journalists which the country has now for the various successes that they have achieved, adding that during her time there was no formal education on journalism forcing them to ‘learn from the bottom up, working and learning at the same time’.
Fauziah, who has been suffering from diabetes for the past 11 years, expressed her thanks for the Tabung@Hawana initiative, adding that she hopes more veteran journalists can also be assisted.
Meanwhile, Fauziah Raof said to this day she was still passionate about journalism even though she has not been active in the field.
Fauziah, who has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist with Utusan Malaysia was also the first woman in the country to publish a newspaper and magazine through Mingguan Family, Pentas Dunia, and Hawa in the 1980s.
Being fluent in several languages such as Arabic and French has allowed her to conduct interviews with visiting foreign dignitaries, as well as manage overseas assignments.
According to Nur-ul Afida since its launch in May, Tabung@Hawana has benefitted a total of 14 former journalists who received cash and daily necessities.
“We hope other media associations can contribute to veteran journalists who are in need. We believe that visits like this can provide them relief from their pain and make them feel more appreciated,” she said.
— Bernama
