DISC jockeys are among those who earn a living from nightclubs, which are still not allowed to open under the recovery movement-control order (RMCO).

Like pub owners, musicians and singers, their profession is in the spotlight after remarks by government leaders appear to miss the fact that the continued closure of nightspots would mean a loss of income for those in this industry.

S. Shamalan played in clubs around the country but after losing his job during the MCO, which began in March, he has resorted to selling home-made cosmetic products. 

The 34-year-old Taiping native, who currently lives in Penang, said he is making soap, lip balm and other products to survive. 

“I had been working in Hard Rock Penang for more than a year when I lost my job. 

“Now, I’m selling cosmetics to pay the bills,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

Shamalan, who is known as DJ Blackice, said that the government should evaluate the standard operating procedure and allow nightspots to reopen.

On September 1, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said only bars, pubs and nightclubs remained closed as part of efforts to contain Covid-19.

“The economy is showing (signs of) recovery, with all sectors having reopened except for pubs and nightclubs,” the prime minister said.

But a remark he made in passing also caused concern among those in the industry. Muhyiddin had added as an aside: “I feel maybe if they don’t open at all is a good thing.”

PAS minister Khairuddin Aman Razali then supported the closure of bars and nightspots permanently.

United Future DJ founder Christopher Doss, who has been in the industry for 35 years, said his peers have been badly affected by the pandemic. 

He estimates that more than 90% of the DJs nationwide are out of work.

“In Kuala Lumpur alone, more than 300 DJs have lost their jobs.

“Now, they are doing Grab, delivery services and some have gone into the food business.” 

DJs don’t receive Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributions from employers, nor do they have Socso, Christopher said, adding that they are also have families to support.

“Salaries for DJs are inconsistent as it is a gig job. But it is also their only source of income.”

Earnings are not consistent across the board, as these depend on the terms of the gig and the clubs that engage them. 

Typically, a DJ can earn RM100 per hour, or a minimum of RM500 per night. Pubs usually pay about RM300 per day and resident DJs attached to a club can earn between RM4,000 and RM5,000 a month.

Christopher is well versed with the Malaysian DJ community as he started the UFDJ Facebook page exclusively for DJs in 2012, which has more than 900 members. 

The online community tries to help former, current and upcoming DJs with information on the latest technology, training, music and gigs available. 

“This platform is for all DJs and it doesn’t matter if you are old, retired or just starting out. It’s for all of us to communicate and build the industry.

“A lot of DJs have gone through a lot of things in their life. This group of people are not recognised apart from their entertainment capabilities.”

He said DJs understand the government’s concern about containing the spread of Covid-19 but asked for more thought to be put into how the entertainment and nightclub sector can be allowed to reopen.

“I believe that the government’s take on this is not very complete. Because we are the minority (in entertainment industry). 

“So, they don’t understand what we are going through. Some people have the wrong impression about DJs.”

Christopher said developing specific SOP for nightspots and entertainment centres can be worked out together with club owners.

“I would like to appeal to the government to give us some guidelines on how to reopen the entertainment sector.”

Muhamad Yussof Azhari, 49, also known as DJ Jinggo Bilboa, has been in the industry for the last 30 years and the last tunes he played were at the Canopy Rooftop in Jalan Kia Peng before the MCO started.

Now he is selling corn dogs and laksa at a stall in Bandar Seri Permaisuri. 

“My wife is a part-time chef so she is the main source of the family’s income.

“We started this stall business after the fasting month. We can earn about RM50 to RM100 a day.”

He said the government needs to think more positively about this industry. 

“Nightclubs and entertainment centres are not just about alcohol. It’s also part of tourism. It’s also not just about DJs, it’s the bartenders, security, car jockeys, we are all Malaysians. This is our rice bowl.”

The rhetoric from politicians about bars, nightclubs and alcohol consumption came as the government passed amendments to the Road Transport Act to increase penalties for drink driving last month.

Yussof said there are misconceptions about DJs just because they worked in nightspots.

“DJs are entertainers, we are not there to get people drunk.

“Nightspots are also avenues for people to socialise. Our part is to cheer up the mood. Because now everyone is worried (about pandemic), so music is important.”

Jamal Abdullah, 46 who is known around the circuit as DJ JD, said he has been spinning tracks for 28 years. 

Jamal last played at The X Bangsar. He is now in the catering business with his wife. 

But even that has taken a hit, as the RMCO has allowed people to go out for more activities.

“We catered dinner for families and were doing well when there were more movement restrictions. Now that we are in the RMCO, we are only serving a couple of families.”

Jamal said their monthly bills include his mother’s medical expenses.

He hopes the government will open up the entertainment sector soon and see the sector’s value as a contributor to the economy, rather than as places where people get drunk.

“They just can’t write us off just like that, they should instead come up with some SOP.”

Thomas Alvin Cross, 50 who has been in the industry for 15 years said that he is currently doing part-time jobs and driving for Grab to survive. 

He used to spin at Rock Bottom in Desa Park City for the last 2½ years.

“I have a son who is working and my daughter is still in college. 

“We need to survive and these part-time jobs are not bringing in a steady stream of revenue. Keeping the industry closed is not a good move.” – September 13, 2020.