KUCHING: Veteran media practitioner Uleyvia Ubang has received a Malaysia Day contribution under Tabung Kasih@HAWANA in recognition of her decades-long service in broadcasting.
The contribution, presented in collaboration with Telekom Malaysia (TM), was delivered to her residence at Taman Swanston, Batu Kawa, by Ministry of Communications secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah today.
Uleyvia, who has been living with kidney disease since 2015 and undergoes dialysis three times a week, said she was deeply touched by the gesture and grateful that media practitioners facing health challenges had not been forgotten.
Fighting back tears, the Cats FM radio announcer said the contribution was the greatest Malaysia Day gift she could have received this year.
“I am deeply touched and almost moved to tears. I do not know how to put my feelings into words, but I truly appreciate all the contributions.
“This is the greatest Malaysia Day gift I could have received this year,” she said when met by reporters at her residence.
Uleyvia said the gesture reaffirmed that long-serving media practitioners continued to be valued despite their health struggles.
“This recognition makes me realise that media practitioners like me are still remembered and appreciated, even after serving in the industry for many years and continuing to work despite illness,” she added.
Uleyvia began her media career at Cats FM in July 1996, initially assisting in its library and production sections.
Within weeks, she was given the opportunity to become a radio announcer when the station began broadcasting in August that year.
Known to listeners as DJ Ivy, she built her broadcasting career as an Iban-language radio announcer, with her command of Bahasa Melayu also becoming one of her professional strengths.
Despite her treatment, Uleyvia remains determined to continue working.
She said dialysis often left her feeling weak and unable to work immediately afterwards, but staying active helped her cope with the emotional burden of her illness.
“Working is one of the ways I keep myself occupied and avoid becoming overwhelmed by the anxiety and emotional burden caused by the illness,” she said.
She also thanked Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, BERNAMA chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and TM for supporting media practitioners in need.
