A SPECIAL fund to help veteran journalists and former media practitioners who are infirm and facing hardship will be launched in conjunction with the 2023 National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) celebration to be held from May 27-29. 

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Kasih@Hawana fund was introduced by the ministry through Bernama.  

“God willing, through this initiative, we will look after our friends who need help and provide donations in the form of cash and necessary items. 

“I very much welcome donations from various parties for the Kasih@Hawana fund to fulfil our sincere desire to help our media friends,” he said at the Hawana 2023 pre-launch ceremony at Wisma Bernama today. 

Also present were the ministry’s deputy secretary-general (strategic communications and creative industry) Mastura Ahmad Mustafa and Bernama chief executive officer Roslan Ariffin. 

Fahmi said the initiative thus far led the ministry to reach out to former Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd journalist Muhammad Basir Abu Bakar, who is suffering from heart disease, and veteran journalist Mohd Sidek Salleh, who is receiving treatment at Hospital Kuala Lumpur after undergoing surgery for colon cancer. 

“We need to carefully consider this assistance, (it should) not (be) just a one-off. For me, aid should be sustainable. We have to find a sustainable way to help many of our friends,” he said. 

He added that Hawana 2023, themed “Free and Secure Media, A Pillar of Democracy”, would take place in Ipoh, Perak and was expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. 

He said the programme would be attended by about 1,000 media practitioners and feature activities such as exhibitions, a treasure hunt, and a mini carnival. 

“A large number of journalists from Asean countries will also participate in the media forum held to discuss the survival of the media industry, especially in this region,” he said. 

Fahmi also expressed his appreciation to sponsors and Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad for hosting Hawana 2023.  

Meanwhile, Roslan invited more companies and corporate bodies to come forward and contribute to the organisation of Hawana 2023.  

So far, the event had received sponsorship from the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, Malaysia Design Council, Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad, Public Bank, Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation, and Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad. 

Sponsorships were also received from Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad, Canon Malaysia, Johor Plantations, Berjaya Hotels & Resorts, Berjaya Starbucks Coffee Company Sdn Bhd, Kenny Rogers Roasters, Pusat Pakaian Hari-Hari Sdn Bhd, Holiday Villa, Carsome, Mydin Mall, AEON Co. (M) Bhd, and MSM Holdings Sdn Bhd. 

May 29 has been gazetted as National Journalists’ Day in conjunction with the publication of the first newspaper in Malaysia – Utusan Melayu – on May 29, 1939. 

Hawana was first held on April 11, 2018 at the MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur but could not be held in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Last year, Hawana was spearheaded by the ministry, which was then known as the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, in collaboration with the Malacca state government and Bernama. – Bernama, May 15, 2023.