The Malaysian Insight

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.