"I hope journalists and veteran journalists who need assistance will reach out to BERNAMA as the secretariat of Tabung Kasih @ HAWANA to extend support to those in need.

"It is hoped that Tabung Kasih @ HAWANA, supported by Telekom Malaysia (TM), will help ease the burden on journalists, especially during challenging times," she said.

Teo told reporters this after presenting Tabung Kasih @ HAWANA assistance to three Sabah media practitioners here today at the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Sabah Bureau Office, Ministry of Communications Integrated Complex, during her working visit to Sabah.

Meanwhile, Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said Tabung Kasih @ HAWANA is a Ministry of Communications initiative, with the agency tasked with managing and coordinating the distribution of aid to eligible recipients.

She added that this year the fund received support from TM to assist media personnel in need.

She encouraged media colleagues across the states to share information with BERNAMA about practitioners experiencing health issues, financial hardship, or other difficulties. This will allow appropriate assistance to be considered.

At today's event, three Sabah-based media practitioners received assistance. They were TV3 executive cameraman Mohammed Fairuz Mohammed Yazzer, 35; RTM producer Kamarudin Abdullah, 46; and RTM producer Floris Philip, 54.

They suffer from a slipped cervical disc causing mobility issues at work, injuries sustained in an accident requiring physiotherapy, and a heart condition, respectively.

-- BERNAMA