IT finally dawned on singer-musician Putra Iqmal Hashim how heavy the impact of Covid-19 was on his rice bowl when one by one, his bookings were cancelled in January.

The Langkawi-based performer realised that countless hotel reservations have been cancelled due to the drastic drop in Chinese tourist arrivals because of Covid-19.

As Malaysia enforces the movement-control order (MCO), Putra Iqmal can no longer earn an income and is forced to switch careers in order to survive.

“In Langkawi, I usually perform at corporate events or in hotels to entertain the guests.”

“My income has been affected since as early as January when several hotels, as part of cost-saving measures, cancelled my contract after the drop in occupancy rates.

“Since March 18, two singing invitations have been cancelled. While normally I can make RM1,200 out of performing, now I am earning nothing,” said the singer, who usually averages RM3,000 a month in fees.

Putra now runs a food delivery business together with a friend.

“I was dumbstruck at first but then I decided to deliver food and put aside music for now.

“Most of the customers are Langkawi residents too, and it’s so hard to go out and buy food now, so I can earn around RM40 per day on top of the 10% commission from the food sales.”

The 25-year old music graduate said he is lucky to have accumulated some savings but did not expect that the Covid-19 pandemic would become this serious.

What upsets him most is that he has to postpone his wedding in August because his savings are nearly gone.

Another musician based in Kuala Lumpur, Izmarezam Mhd Aziz, said since January, Covid-19 has also resulted in cancellations.

“I do have fixed performances in several locations in Kuala Lumpur. Every month, I could earn around RM4,000 from them.

“However, as I cannot even perform during the MCO, my monthly income is badly affected,” said the 40-year-old musician from Sg Dua, Penang.

Izmarezam, better known as Tam to others, still keeps his spirit high by persisting with his music on Facebook.

“I did not have a single programme during the first few days of the MCO.

“While scrolling through Facebook and YouTube one day, it dawned on me that I should perform through Facebook Live.

“Initially, I look at the performance as just a pastime. Then, I realised that it could be beneficial if I display my name and account number in case anyone out there wants to give a donation.

“Alhamdulillah, after having performed live for only three times, I now have an audience and the donations are quite good, enough to last me for two to three days,” said the father of three.

Tam said although the times are hard, he prefers doing this rather than relying on help from the authorities or other parties.

“As long as we are able to be independent, we carry on. Help from the other parties would be my last resort.

“That is why I use Facebook for my own good. During this period, it is important to have a medium that allows you to generate income quickly,” he added.

Performers are among those who have made enquiries for more information regarding the Prihatin economic stimulus package.

The RM250 billion package was announced on March 27. It includes cash handouts of RM1,600 to four million households earning RM4,000 and below.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, artistes’ associations, including buskers and other groups, made the enquiries.

Also affected is one cultural figure in Penang, Omar Md Hashim, 66, who has done much work for traditional art groups, Boria Omara and Ghazal Party Fajar Irama.

He can now only survive on a RM700 monthly pension as performances by the two groups were cancelled, causing them to lose up to RM20,000.

“As for the boria group, we have fixed performances every month at the port to receive guests, which earn us RM1,000 for every performance. However, from January the performances have been postponed.

“During the MCO, more than five performances have been cancelled,” he said.

On top of that performances scheduled a few days before the MCO were also cancelled, as people began to panic over the Covid-19 virus, he said.

The group is now paralysed without any income and is affecting members who work as full-time artistes and art movers.

As of yesterday, Malaysia recorded 3,662 Covid-19 cases with 61 fatalities. The Ministry of Health predicts that the number of cases will peak by mid-April.

This hints at a possible extension of the MCO if the situation fails to improve soon.

The ministry also asks people to refrain from mass gatherings for at least six months after the MCO ends. – April 6, 2020.