LABUAN, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- Labuan-based Asia Times journalist Adam Kong Jeng Li today became the 861st media practitioner to benefit from the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative, with Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil also extending a personal contribution towards the purchase of a new prosthetic leg for him.
Fahmi visited Adam, 38, at his residence in Taman Arena Kerupang here and presented assistance under the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA X TM initiative, which is aimed at supporting media practitioners facing health, welfare and financial difficulties.
Adam, who was born with a disability affecting his right leg, has been using a prosthetic leg since he was eight years old and had to replace it several times as he grew older and his physical needs changed.
He also had to bear the cost of repairing the prosthetic leg whenever parts became damaged or worn out.
“Over the years, he had to replace the prosthetic leg as he grew older, and whenever certain parts were damaged, repairs were also needed, which involved additional costs. Now, he needs a new prosthetic leg that is more comfortable and better suited to his current needs and daily activities,” he said.
Adam has been serving with Asia Times since 2023, and his current prosthetic leg has been in use for more than seven years and has become increasingly worn and the condition has affected his comfort and mobility, besides making it more challenging for him to carry out field assignments as a journalist.
Recognising Adam’s circumstances, Fahmi also channelled a personal contribution to help ease the cost of obtaining a new prosthetic leg.
Also present during the visit were Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah and Bernama Deputy Editor-in-Chief of News Services Shukri Ishak.
Tabung Kasih@HAWANA X TM is an initiative under Tabung Kasih@HAWANA established through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding contributed by Telekom Malaysia (TM).
A total of 90 media practitioners have benefited from the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA X TM initiative since it was introduced in June this year.
Tabung Kasih@HAWANA, meanwhile, was launched by the Communications Ministry through the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) in April 2023 to provide assistance to media practitioners in need nationwide.
Prior to Adam, the initiative had benefited 860 media practitioners throughout the country.
-- BERNAMA