By Balqis Jazimah Zahari
IPOH: The government approved an allocation of RM1 million to be channelled to Tabung Kasih@HAWANA.
It was announced by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim himself, during the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) summit 2023 held at the Casuarina Meru Hotel Banquet Hall yesterday.
Anwar said, it is an initial stage allocation approved by the government for the needs of media practitioners across the country and also for the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi; Communications and Digital Minister, Fahmi Fadzil and Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
At the ceremony, Anwar also presented gifts to the recipient of the 2023 HAWANA Award, legendary cartoonist, Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid as well as three recipients of Tabung Kasih@HAWANA consisting of veteran journalists.
The summit brought together about 1,000 media practitioners as well as representatives of Malaysian journalists’ associations and clubs.
The largest gathering of Malaysian media practitioners was organised by the Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD) and implemented by the National News Organization of Malaysia (BERNAMA).
Themed “Free Media, Pillar of Democracy”, the celebration aims to appreciate the contributions and services of media practitioners and local veteran journalists in the development of the country and the nation.
This event is the culmination of the HAWANA 2023 celebration that takes place from May 27 to 29, with various plans arranged for the fraternity and media industry experts.
About 250 media practitioners participated in the HAWANA 2023 celebration in a dinner ceremony at Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar last night., which was graced by the presence of the Sultan of Perak.
May 29 was gazetted as National Journalists’ Day in conjunction with the publication of the first edition of the Utusan Melayu newspaper on 29 May 1939.
