LATE JOURNALIST MUHAMMAD BASIR'S CHILDREN HANDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM TABUNG KASIH@HAWANA - FAHMI

SERDANG, Feb 16 (Bernama) – The three children of late Muhammad Basir Abu Bakar, a former Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd journalist, received financial assistance through the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA fund after their father died due to chronic illness yesterday.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who expressed his deep sympathy for the three siblings who are now orphaned, also gave personal cash donations to them and promised to cover their phone bills for one year.

"I will gather the necessary details regarding their phone lines and, Insya-Allah, help pay their internet bills so they have no issues staying in touch with family," he told reporters after visiting the children at their home in Taman Setia 2 here, today.

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Also present was Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.

"Muhammad Basir was the first recipient of the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA in April 2023. I still remember that this was the first home I visited as a minister, and it was the first family to receive assistance under the initiative," said Fahmi.

"Unfortunately, in October of that year, his wife Nor Azlina Jaafar died, and yesterday, we received the sad news of Muhammad Basir," he said.

Meanwhile, Fahmi expressed his gratitude to Bernama for facilitating the assistance and contributions to the family.

He also mentioned that 303 individuals have benefitted from the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative, which continues to support former journalists facing hardship, particularly those battling chronic health conditions.

Earlier, the final rites were performed for Muhammad Basir at Masjid Taman Taming Jaya in Balakong before being laid to rest at the Batu 10, Muslim Cemetery in Cheras.

Muhammad Basir, 45, died at 6.45 pm yesterday at Hospital Sultan Idris Shah in Serdang, leaving behind three children aged between 10 and 15 years old. His wife, Nor Azlina, a former photographer at Kumpulan Utusan, passed away on Oct 17, 2023.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Basir’s passing is seen as a significant loss to his colleagues, especially after Utusan Melayu ceased operations in 2019.

Former president of the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM), Mohd Taufek Razak said that as the union’s secretary, Muhammad Basir made notable contributions of time and effort to demand compensation from the company after thousands of staff were laid off.

"When it comes to fighting for a cause, I can honestly say that Muhammad Basir had an incredibly high fighting spirit," he said.

Taufek added that Nor Azlina also played an instrumental role in the struggle of former Utusan Melayu employees and union members to seek compensation from the company.

Similarly, former NUJM secretary Baharuddin Yaacob said that the couple were always concerned about the welfare of their colleagues in distress or dealing with bereavement.

"They were not hesitant to set up donation boxes in the office to support colleagues in need. From this, we saw their determination, especially welfare issues of those around them," he said.

Baharuddin further shared that after Nor Azlina’s passing, Muhammad Basir continued his fight for compensation despite his deteriorating health.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said Muhammad Basir often sought advice from the congress during his lifetime.

"When Utusan Melayu closed, Muhammad Basir was one of the NUJ leaders who regularly visited the MTUC office to seek advice on how to fight for his rights and the justice of his friends," he said, adding that he was present to pay his respects to the late journalist.

-- BERNAMA