KOTA KINABALU, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil today visited the former head of the New Straits Times (NST) Editorial Division of Sabah and Sarawak, Joseph Bingkasan, who is battling bone cancer at his home in Kampung Kionsom, Inanam, near here.
During the visit, Fahmi also presented a donation of Tabung Kasih@HAWANA to Joseph, who is the 24th recipient of the fund, to help ease his burden.
Speaking to reporters after the visit, Fahmi said the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA, which was set up in conjunction with the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2023, aims to support media practitioners, former media personnel and veteran journalists who are in need.
“It is an initiative of the Communications and Digital Ministry and has been implemented through the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) since April 14, 2023 as a continuous effort to help those in the media community facing difficulties and challenges in life.
“This programme will continue to be implemented for journalists who need it. The prime minister has channelled an allocation of RM1 million to implement this programme,” he said.
Fahmi said he would discuss with Sepanggar Member of Parliament Datuk Mustapha Sakmud and Inanam state assemblyman Datuk Peto Galim regarding efforts to continue helping Joseph.
Meanwhile, Joseph was grateful to receive help from the programme and was moved because Fahmi came personally even though the road leading to his house was in bad shape.
“I also hope that the presence of the minister and the Inanam assemblyman can speed up the upgrading of the access road here. The bad road is giving us difficulties. Last week my father was sick and the ambulance couldn’t get in because of the bad road,” he said.
Joseph, 68, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2014, also faced kidney failure and high blood pressure.
He joined the Kinabalu Sabah Times as an editor in 1977 before joining the New Straits Times Press (NSTP) as a correspondent in Sabah. He was then transferred to the Times of Malaysia London Ltd, which is the NST Office in London.
Upon his return from London, Joseph was appointed as head of the Editorial Division of NST Sabah and Sarawak based in Kuching, before being transferred to the NST headquarters in Kuala Lumpur in 2004.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
