BUSKERS earn a living by entertaining the public in malls or on the street. The rise in the cost of living has affected their livelihood. These days, they make about RM30 to RM50 a day, compared with five years ago, where they could make as much as RM200.
Azmyl Yunor, 41, a performance art lecturer in a private university and a part-timer busker said: “The public are willing to pay as long they can afford. Now they visit malls, but don’t spend any money.”
Buskers also have to invest in musical equipment. “Our equipment is imported from Japan and the US. With the ringgit so weak, buying equipment from overseas becomes more expensive,” said busker Moses Sta Maria, 59.
Buskers already have a difficult reputation to uphold, as they are often compared to beggars. However, most still stand by it as it is a passion, but now they face a new challenge in the form of the economy. –March 27, 2018.
The public watching a band performance in front of the Sogo shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 27, 2018.Moses Sta Maria at a performance at the Alamanda shopping mall in Putrajaya. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 27, 2018.Azmyl Yunor, a performance art lecturer in a private university and a part-timer busker, performing at Damansara City mall in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 27, 2018.A tourist taking selfies and singing along with the Eyelitz busker at Avenue K shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 27, 2018.A woman dropping her contribution into a guitar case during a busking session at Damansara City mall in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 27, 2018.The Skynett band setting up their equipment before they perform at Avenue K shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 27, 2018.Moses Sta Maria flipping his lead sheet before doing his performance at the Alamanda shopping mall in Putrajaya. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 27, 2018.Dicky, a father of three, playing his guitar at the Avenue K shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 27, 2018.Moses Sta Maria pushing a cart with his equipment at the Alamanda shopping mall in Putrajaya. Buskers also have to invest in expensive equipment to perform. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 27, 2018.Azmyl Yunor packing up for the day after a performance at the Damansara City mall in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 27, 2018.
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