KUALA LUMPUR: Since her hardship was highlighted on TV3 documentary Bersamamu last Sunday, Puteri Balqis Azizi has received strong support from the caring public.
Besides the many anonymous well-wishers who chipped in to assist her financially, the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) has also extended its helping hand.
Finas chairman Datuk Hans Isaac said the corporation was planning to help Balqis and her mother Norashikin Mohamad Aziz improve their lives with several projects in the pipeline.
In an Instagram post today, Hans said: “After many individuals tagged me on social media, I have requested that our team look into the problems faced by Balqis.
“I’m glad that we are putting together some support. As a government agency, we need approval with proper documentation before giving support to any individual."
“Any financial support will be paid directly to a third party for education or medical bills.
“And I have also spoken to Astro and TV3 in support of Balqis,” he said.
Hans added that a source from Media Prima Bhd told him that after Bersamamu was aired, various organisations and individuals chipped in to help Balqis, including the Malaysian Muslim Consumers' Association.
“Her story went viral on social media and her mother Norashikin got more than RM100,000 from the public. Their books were also sold out. Since Norashikin no longer owes the publisher for the capital of the books, all earnings from the book's sales are now shared between them.
“They are now planning to print another 250 copies of the book to meet demand. Balqis' mother has also arranged for her to take an examination in order to be admitted into an English couse. She also plans to send Balqis to a nearby public school,” he added.
Hans also said that Pusat Zakat Selangor had offered Balqis a chance to give motivational talks to youngsters.
“They hope to work with Media Prima to help Balqis secure proper book deals," he said.
Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Private Specialist Centre general paediatrics and neonatology specialist Dr Masri Muhamed said that Balqis was not suffering from cancer, contrary to popular belief.
In a news report yesterday, Dr Masri said that he had conducted blood tests on her and found that she was suffering from another health problem, which he declined to reveal.