16 MEDIA PRACTITIONERS RECEIVE TABUNG KASIH@HAWANA AID AHEAD OF DEEPAVALI

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- A total of 16 media practitioners facing health challenges and personal hardships received contributions under the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative in conjunction with the upcoming Deepavali celebration.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching presented the contributions at Wisma Bernama here today, at an event held under the theme ‘Sinari Harapan, Utuhkan Perpaduan’, which reflected the spirit of compassion and solidarity that underpins the MADANI Government’s values.

Also present were Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Telecommunications Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran; Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai; Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin; and Bernama editor-in-chief and HAWANA 2025 Project director Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.

According to the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2025 Secretariat, the recipients included Penerbitan Sahabat Malaysia Sdn Bhd machine operator M. Gopal, 58; Malaysia Nanban typesetter Zubaidah Mohamed Sharrif, 55; former Nambikkai Sdn Bhd journalist Ashwini Gopal Senthamarai, 26; former Tamil Malar managing editor Datuk M. Periasamy, 73; and former Tamil Malar journalist R. Subramaniam, 69. Periasamy was represented at the event by his son, P. Gunaseelan.

Also receiving contributions were former Makkal Osai photographer P. Malayanadi, 67; former Tamil Nesan machine technician P. Krishnan, 66; former Malaysia Nanban journalist Nagasamy Govindan, 76; and Malaysia Nanban typesetters R. Punitha, 40, and V. Indria Gandhi, 58.

Other recipients were Malaysia Nanban editor-in-chief M. Rajintheram, 69; Malaysia Nanban journalist S. S. Jeevaraja, 47; Tamillens Online Media chief editor V. Yettrivanan, 37; Minnal FM RTM staff member Kunasundary Nagarajah, 44; Mandarin News Desk (Media Prima) journalist Wong Zhi Zhen, 33; Malaysia Gazette senior journalist S. Kumara, 46.

Apart from cash contributions, the recipients also received hampers and essential items as tokens of appreciation for their dedication and service in the field of journalism.

For the Tamil media, a total of 74 recipients have benefited from the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative between 2023 and 2025, while an additional 44 individuals received assistance this year alone.

As of today, the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative, implemented by the Communications Ministry through Bernama, has benefited 532 media practitioners nationwide since its launch in April 2023 in conjunction with National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) celebrations.

The initiative reflects the MADANI Government’s commitment to fostering compassion, empathy and appreciation for media professionals who have contributed to the nation’s development through journalism.

-- BERNAMA