KUALA LUMPUR: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil today presented donations from the Kasih@HAWANA Fund to five former employees of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) currently facing health challenges.

They are former Radio Bahagian Melayu announcer Halijah Buang, 74, who suffers from heart disease, high blood pressure and asthma, as well as former TV1 host Khatijah@Suraya Ismail, 74, who has diabetes, high blood pressure and knee problems.

Also, former announcer at Radio Sabah (Religious and Dakwah Section) Radziah Md Isa, 74, who has heart problems and former announcer at Stesen Suara Malaysia-Indonesia, Dewi Mohammad Shaleh, 67, who has diabetes and cholesterol issues.

Another recipient is the former announcer at FM Stereo, Suara Malaysia and Nasional FM Fatimah Mohamed, 85, who is facing knee, joint and kidney problems.

Fahmi presented the donations at the MADANI Muhibbah Aifilfitri 1445H open house, which was organised by the Communications Ministry and the Housing and Local Government Ministry in Putrajaya and graced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Also present were Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive editor Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, and Broadcasting Department director-general Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman.

The Kasih@HAWANA Fund was established in conjunction with the National Journalists Day (HAWANA) 2023. It aims to assist existing and former media practitioners as well as veteran journalists who need a helping hand.

It is an initiative of the Communications Ministry and implemented through Bernama.