IN a bid to assist the media fraternity combat Covid-19, the National Press Club of Malaysia (NPC) has initiated a campaign to raise funds through its Journalist Welfare Fund.
And hours after the announcement was made pledges from Samaritans have begun pouring in.
NPC president Datuk Ahirudin Attan said the funds raised will be used for various activities, from handing out face masks and hand sanitisers for media personnel on the ground to purchasing groceries for senior club members.
“We are looking at a three-pronged approach targeting active media personnel, freelancers and general media employees, and senior citizens who once served the fraternity,” Bernama quoted the president as saying.
Ahirudin, who runs news websiteThe Mole, added that some journalists, photographers and camera crew were running out of face masks and hand santisers since the Movement Control Order kicked in on March 18.
The order, which was supposed to end on March 31, has been extended to April 14.
“The NPC acknowledges the contribution and sacrifices of journalists as they are also frontliners during the MCO. They deserve all the assistance they can get as they go about providing Malaysians with credible and truthful reporting on the crisis we are facing together,” he said.
Ahirudin added that some of these media personnel come from smaller organisations that have limited essentials.
“There are also some seniors who need groceries and freelancers who have lost their income. We hope this initiative will assist our media brothers and sisters,” he added.
Started in 2006, NPC’s Journalist Welfare Fund is aimed at helping journalists and their family members during times of need.
Those who want to contribute can channel their donations to The National Press Club Malaysia (1992), AmBank Islamic (Account number: 023-202-200219-3).
For more details, kindly contact club manager Steven Foo at +(6)019-2458073.
