Eight celebrities and individuals in need were given assistance in the second season of the mStar Baek programme. Photo: Faihan Ghani/The Star
The Star’s Malay-language portal mStar collaborated with KPJ Healthcare in helping eight celebrities and individuals facing hardship and easing their burdens through the Season 2 of mStar Baek.
The programme, available on all mStar digital platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, has garnered a total of 10 million views since its broadcast in March.
Niezam Abdullah, chief news editor of mStar, said that this segment was conceived after some artistes were going through tough times but were neglected, despite their contributions to society through their talents.
Niezam added that mStar, which reports on the local entertainment scene, felt responsible for helping these individuals, while KPJ Healthcare provided other necessities, including medical advice.
"Last year, mStar collaborated with beauty product manufacturer Noir Health & Beauty, and this time KPJ Healthcare has shown concern in helping those in need.
"From mStar's perspective, we want to prove to society that, in addition to highlighting the lives of artistes and the public on our portal, it is essential to help those who have significantly contributed to the industry and society.
"The programme has received excellent cooperation from various parties and agencies in demonstrating compassion towards those in need," he said.
Niezam said this during his speech at the Jalinan Kasih Prihatin mStar Baek Donation Ceremony at Menara KPJ, Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday (June 25).
More than 100 guests attended the event, including Niezam Abdullah (left) Chief News Editor of mStar, Datin Paduka Esther Ng (fourth from left) Star Media Group's Chief Content Officer, Chin Keat Chyuan (centre), KPJ Healthcare President and Managing Director. Photo: AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
More than 100 guests attended the event, including Star Media Group's chief content officer, Datin Paduka Esther Ng, KPJ Healthcare president and managing director, Chin Keat Chyuan, KPJ Healthcare chief operating officer, Dr Nik Fawaz Nik Abdul Aziz, and KPJ Healthcare Group chief financial officer, Mohd Khairul Izzad Mohammed Shamsudin.
Also present were The Star's managing editor, Brian Martin, and executive editor, Tung Eng Hwa.
In addition to the donation presentation to the recipients, the event also saw performances from popular artistes such as Amylea Azizan, Tom, Dwan (Olan), and Izam EYE.
Chin stated that KPJ Healthcare is committed to the CSR programme initiated by mStar.
He said through programmes like this, KPJ Healthcare can assist those in need in terms of health care, regardless of their background or socio-economic status. This also goes with the specialist hospital's slogan Care for Life, he added.
"We hope the services provided through the Wakaf An-Nur Clinic (KWAN) network will positively impact and benefit the community.
"The strategic collaboration with mStar should continue in the future to reach more local communities," he explained.
The second season of mStar Baek saw the production of eight episodes, with six artistes chosen to receive contributions, including Izam from the group Eye, who faced health issues after a stroke in 2019.
Also receiving contributions were former Pilih Kasih Season One winner, actor Iqbal Mazlan, who lost his vision, and Dwan (Olan), who has been suffering from stroke and kidney disease since March 2022.
Additionally, 1980s actor Isma Aliff, who contracted a lung infection, was among the six recipients. Others included Pak Engku, father of the late Along (Spoon), who has diabetes and had his right leg amputated; and the late Jaafar Onn, who faced several health problems.
Sadly, after the recording and airing of the first episode featuring Jaafar on March 29, the artiste passed away on April 3.
Dwan (Olan), who has been suffering from stroke and kidney disease since March 2022, performs at the even. Photo: FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
Norazlina Zakaria, a disabled woman (OKU), whose husband is bedridden due to paralysis, also received contributions for her extraordinary dedication in caring for her spouse.
During Ramadan, mStar Baek and KPJ Healthcare also reached out to the homeless, offering assistance around Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, to understand their hardships.
Making the mStar Baek programme even more special, KPJ Healthcare provided free health check-up facilities by bringing medical officers to offer health advice to the homeless.
In addition to RM3,000 in cash, selected participants also received a medical treatment card allowing them and their families to receive free health check-ups at the Wakaf An-Nur Clinic (KWAN) provided by KPJ Healthcare for a year.
Since 1998, KWAN has provided healthcare to nearly two million patients through a network of 11 static clinics, nine dialysis centres, and 10 mobile clinics throughout Malaysia.
