KUALA LUMPUR: National artistes' welfare foundation Yayasan Kebajikan Artis Tanahair (YKAT) is marking Chinese New Year 2022 by lending a helping hand to needy veteran artistes of all races.
Its chairman Datuk DJ Dave said that as in previous years, the foundation marked festive seasons with "sharing and caring" activities, targeting artistes aged 60 and above.
"Chinese New Year is around the corner, and it is an all-Malaysian celebration. YKAT believes in sharing the festive season's joy with Malaysian artistes regardless of ethnic backgrounds," he said in a statement today.
"Despite the raging Covid-19 menace, our charitable activities continue as usual, but subject to strict standard operating procedures (SOP)."
Dave said that since the coronavirus pandemic had stopped them from organising home visits, artistes will see the contributions banked into their savings accounts.
He added that last year, YKAT gave monetary contributions to artistes in a single week to mark Christmas and Chinese New Year, but this year they decided to mark both occasions separately, as they had more resources to do so.
YKAT trustee Datuk Nash said that 15 veteran artistes received contributions, worth a total of RM15,000.
"Each of them received RM1,000, including those under our Khairat Programme. This charitable drive is our thank you to all veterans for their services to the entertainment industry," he said.
The artistes who benefited from YKAT's charitable drive included singer Ibnor Riza, actresses Tan Ai Lin and Gan Chu Lan and composer Wan Zul.
"Many of them have been hard hit by the pandemic, and we are doing our best to alleviate their financial burdens. It is our commitment to help all artistes facing difficulties," said Nash.