MALAYSIA’S shuttered entertainment industry has led to 30,000 entertainers becoming jobless, prompting industry groups to ask Putrajaya to ease restrictions imposed in March and allow them to restart.

Malaysian Artistes’ Association (Karyawan) president Freddie Fernandez told The Malaysian Insight Putrajaya must allow the industry to open again for the sake of these musicians and their families.

Some members have had to sell off their equipment or perform by the streets to put food on their table, he said.

“We are appealing to the government to consider opening up this industry with strict SOP (standard operating procedure).

“Many have resorted to selling their equipment, busking and doing food delivery to survive,” Fernandez said.

The association is preparing a memorandum to be submitted to Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah.

“Players from various sections, such as musicians, club owners and entertainers are consolidating their views, which will be submitted to Saifuddin in two weeks.”

He also suggested that the government allow musicians to operate in restaurants that are already open since the recovery movement-control order.

“The government can also look into waiving the applications for entertainment licences for these outlets, so they can bring in bands as these outlets will not permit dancing.”

Although many businesses and activities have been allowed to operate under the RMCO, the government continues to prohibit nightclubs, bars and pubs to open, including banning live bands and raves that attract large crowds.

Those in the entertainment industry are in a tight spot as they had been unable to work since mid-March when the MCO was implemented to curb the spread of the Covid-19.

Singer Brenda Lee, 53, told The Malaysian Insight that she has not had any income for the past seven months.

Lee, who has been a singer for the past 30 years, said she used to make RM4,000 to RM5,000 a month when she was performing.

With zero income and cash aid, she is living with her parents and has been selling some of her belongings and spending her savings to get by.

“I have sold some of my things to get by. Right now, I’m just hanging on to my most precious belongings like my keyboard but if this restriction goes on, then I will be left with no choice but to sell it,” she said.

She said it is unfair that the government expected senior musicians like her to seek jobs in other areas when that’s all she’s ever done throughout her life.

She also questioned the unclear definition given by authorities for musicians to perform.

Lee said while musicians are not allowed to perform at entertainment outlets, they are allowed to busk.

Busking is the activity of playing music on the streets or public places for voluntary donations.

This definition is problematic as most musicians are not doing it for donations but to earn an income, she said.

She hoped the government would consider letting entertainment outlets hire performers again as they were struggling and will not hesitate to comply with SOP for as long as they’re allowed to work.

Left with no help

Singer Gerard Anthony, 39, said he has been doing odd jobs for the past seven months.

Before the MCO, Anthony said he would be able to make around RM9,000 monthly and now he’s only able to make RM1,000 a month.

He said he was currently “rummaging” through his savings while working odd jobs as a waiter and a kitchen helper.

“My last performance was on March 17 and being a full-time musician, I’ve lost all income over the last seven months,” he said.

As a pub musician, the community has supported the Ministry of Arts and Culture’s initiatives over the years but when MCO hit, he said, it saddens him to think that the government is leaving people like him to fend for themselves.

“Almost every industry is recovering except mine. I hope to be able to work, that’s all I want,” he said.

Jeremy Lee Danker said he has been without a job since the MCO came into effect.

“Since the MCO took effect, I have lost my job and opportunities as a musician to play at pubs, bars, restaurants, and functions.

“The job was the sole source of income but like many other musicians, we had to diversify and venture into other areas to make a living,” said the 40-year-old

He has been a musician for the past 13 years, working solo and sometimes in bands.

To cope with no stable income, Danker, who is married with a daughter, sells natural crystal accessories to help pay some of the house bills.

He said the government should rethink their approach to banning musicians performing at entertainment outlets.

“It is clearly a political game with the intent of banning nightlife and alcohol in Malaysia,” he said.

“To be honest, their reasons and justifications that by opening bars and clubs, the SOP can’t be followed is purely a biased speculation.”

He said if the government can allow places like night markets, massage parlours and gatherings to convene with SOP, he does not see why the same cannot be applied to musicians performing at entertainment outlets.

“Many musician associations have come up with strict SOP for us and bar/pub owners to follow. Why not give us a chance to prove it can be done?”

A 68-year-old drummer who wanted to be known as Pak Cik Ruzlan said he has lost about RM4,000 to RM5,000 a month since March.

Ruzlan said he used to be able to make RM350 a night at entertainment outlets.

However, now with the current situation, he is selling perfume at RM25 per bottle.

“I don’t get much from this small business of mine, but because I’m staying with my daughter, the impact has not been so bad on me, but still, of course, I feel worried about what’s going to happen.

“I may have to sell my things, too, if this prolongs and I can’t find a job, plus I don’t have any savings.”

Ruzlan said he really hopes the government would consider letting musicians perform at entertainment outlets again with the SOP in place. – September 12, 2020.