Government Urged to Provide Aid for Veteran Media Practitioners

Malaysian media veterans are facing the harsh realities of aging and financial struggles, prompting a call to action from the government to establish a dedicated aid mechanism for those who have served the nation's journalism industry. With many former media practitioners struggling to cope with rising healthcare costs and limited income, the time has come for the government to step in and provide much-needed support.

Background & Context

The media industry has long been a vital component of Malaysia's information dissemination and national development. However, behind the scenes, many veteran media practitioners are struggling to make ends meet after years of dedicated service. With no fixed income and limited access to healthcare benefits, many are finding it increasingly difficult to manage their post-retirement lives.

According to experts, the situation is exacerbated by the fact that many media practitioners are not entitled to the same benefits as civil servants. While civil servants enjoy access to free treatment at government healthcare facilities, their media counterparts are often left to fend for themselves. This has led to a growing concern about the welfare of veteran media practitioners, with many calling on the government to take action.

Key Details

A recent call to action from senior media practitioners has highlighted the need for a dedicated aid mechanism for veteran media practitioners. Perak Sinar Harian bureau chief Saifullah Ahmad has urged the government to provide access to free treatment at government healthcare facilities, similar to the benefits enjoyed by civil servants. He believes that this would not only help reduce medical costs but also serve as a gesture of appreciation for media practitioners who have greatly contributed to information dissemination and national development.

"Some retired media practitioners face various health issues due to age and work-related stress throughout their careers. Free medical treatment would provide relief to them," Saifullah told Bernama. He added that efforts to compile comprehensive data on former media practitioners should be prioritised, including through media associations or clubs in each state, to ensure assistance can be delivered in a more organised and inclusive manner.

Another veteran journalist, Ronnie Chin Foon Kheng, has suggested that the government consider allocating healthcare provisions for this group, including treatment aid, regular health screenings, and medical support to ease their burden. Chin, who has about 25 years of experience in photography, believes that subsistence assistance or special allowances should also be considered for former media practitioners who are no longer working and do not have a fixed income, to help them lead more comfortable lives and cope with the rising cost of living.

Meanwhile, Stesen Televisyen Malaysia Berhad (TV3) journalist Shaharil Kadir has suggested introducing a special card for veteran media practitioners to facilitate more systematic delivery of aid and benefits. He believes that the card could serve as an official medium enabling holders to enjoy various privileges and facilities, particularly at public institutions and government agencies. Shaharil also suggested that the card could be expanded to include various incentives such as discounted airfares and public transport fares to help reduce the cost of living for this group.

What Experts Say

Experts believe that the government's response to the plight of veteran media practitioners is long overdue. According to them, the situation is a clear indication that the government needs to take a more proactive approach to addressing the welfare of media practitioners. By providing a dedicated aid mechanism, the government can demonstrate its appreciation for the contributions of these individuals and help alleviate their financial burdens.

Furthermore, experts believe that the proposed aid mechanism should be comprehensive and inclusive, covering not only healthcare benefits but also subsistence assistance and other forms of support. This would enable veteran media practitioners to lead more comfortable lives and cope with the rising cost of living.

Key Takeaways

• Government urged to provide aid for veteran media practitioners
• Free medical treatment and subsistence assistance should be considered
• Special card for veteran media practitioners proposed to facilitate aid delivery
• Government's response to plight of veteran media practitioners is long overdue

What This Means For You

The government's response to the plight of veteran media practitioners has significant implications for the nation's media industry. By providing a dedicated aid mechanism, the government can help alleviate the financial burdens of these individuals and demonstrate its appreciation for their contributions. This, in turn, can lead to a more stable and sustainable media industry, with better working conditions and benefits for all practitioners.

As the nation moves forward, it is essential that the government takes a more proactive approach to addressing the welfare of media practitioners. By doing so, it can ensure that the contributions of these individuals are valued and recognised, and that they are able to lead more comfortable lives in their post-retirement years.