Undervalued: What Lies Ahead For Veteran Artistes?

Is there light at the end of the tunnel for these actors and actresses who have graced Malaysia’s silver screen over the years?

These are mind blowing questions that remain unresolved. For years now, some of the popular actors and actresses who have starred in major roles in Malay films and television dramas have been shockingly underpaid for the roles that they have played.  

In fact, this issue has been going on for years in the local arts industry especially in the Malay film acting world, with the veterans’ voices unheard and their rights ignored.

However, they are not fighting alone. Arts activists including associations have been fighting for the rights and welfare of senior artistes, yet there is still no solution in sight.

 “This issue has been plaguing the industry over the last 30 years. It is pointless to speak our mind as at the end of the day, we will end up going nowhere and are forced to accept jobs with payments that do not commensurate with our experience as we need to sustain our livelihood. We had in the past raised the matter...it became a hot issue in recent years, but was later pushed to the back burner.”

These are voices of frustration among veteran artistes when interviewed by Bernama recently over the long-standing issue, which remains in deadlock. Without a doubt, these actors and actresses are still making their presence in the industry and whose names are not unknown to today’s generation.

But the veteran artistes are forced to face the harsh reality that they can no longer live in the past glory. Unlike new young artistes who are handsomely paid, they are however paid a pittance, with payment of much less than RM500, despite acting say, five episodes, and working from dawn to dusk.

“I can say that almost 80 per cent of veteran actors with over 40 years of experience in the industry are still popular yet underpaid.

 “While they are given key roles (not as lead roles), senior actors are still regarded as supporting actors, with payments far less than new artistes who are paid much more despite acting similar roles,” said veteran actor Abdul Jalil Hamid, who was earlier reluctant to be interviewed.

Saddened by the age-old issue, the popular actor who has several awards to his credit including the 1995 Screen Award for Best Actor said, he was among those who spoke the loudest on the issue, but more often than not, he was wrongly interpreted by industry players and the community.

Once labelled as ungrateful, the father of six, who brings with him over four decades of experience in the industry said his life as an actor is not a bed of roses as many would imagine.

In fact, a film shoot could stretch for more than 18 hours a day and as such, he together with other veteran artistes have been harbouring hopes that no discrimination is practised in terms of payment besides expecting they should be valued based on their experience.

 But they can only hope for a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel as according to Jalil, besides the veteran artistes, film crew or those working behind the scenes are also affected.

 “In this country, veteran artistes lose value with age. If possible, I try to avoid accepting acting jobs but if the payment offer is low, it is not worth it. But, many artistes are forced to accept jobs as they have to support their family, with no alternative source of income.

 “The late Ridzuan Hashim for instance had to keep his heart condition hidden for fear that he would not be receiving any acting offers, and in fact, many artistes, including myself prefer to keep our personal problems private,” said Jalil, who admitted that he was even offered a payment of RM150 for one episode in a drama series. 

Jalil has earlier kept his gastrointestinal problem hidden for eight months as he did not want to appear weak in the eyes of the producer but in fact, he had difficulties in eating and could only drink water, due to his health condition.

 However, he has since recovered from his health condition after undergoing an operation in 2021, but after nearly two years, no acting offers came by and expressed hopes that an opportunity will knock on his door allowing him to support his family.

Veteran actress Wan Maimunah Wan Abul Aziz has earlier exposed to the media about the ongoing discrimination faced by veteran artistes in Malaysia.

Well-known for her appearances in a slew of tear-jerking TV dramas, Wan Maimunah revealed that she was offered a mere RM200 by a local production company for her role in a made-for-TV film in the past.

Another veteran actress and theatre activist, Fauziah Nawi also shared similar sentiments over the plight of other senior artistes who have been sidelined by the industry.  

“Typically, the older you are, the more likely you’ll receive a higher salary, but for us? We are poorly paid. How could they (the parties concerned) treat veteran artistes the way they did?

 “Whether old or new, artistes also have to work under the sun, and get tired.  It’s not a question of being paid less for not working under the sun and not getting tired, while those who work under the sun are paid more; they are actually the same,” said the recipient of the Tokoh Seri Angkasa Award (ASA) 2022.

 Fauziah, who has served the arts industry over the last five decades, expressed regret over the absence of an act to protect the interest of the industry players including those working behind the scenes.

In fact, child actors also faced the same fate as they have also been receiving paltry payments despite having to work till late the next morning.

 “Even labourers are covered by an act that protects their interest. By right, you should be paid more for the longer hours you work, but this does not apply for artistes....We are non-pensionable, don’t do this to us. But who would lend their voices and support our cause?” Fauziah lamented.

Dean of the Faculty of Creative Writing & Film, the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (Aswara) Muhammed Izzat Hasan said the issue has been dragging on for a long time without any monitoring action taken to ensure veteran artistes are always protected.

 As such, he said a rate card needs to be introduced as guidelines for the industry, noting that it should commensurate with their experience and talents.

 "This way, every producer will have a specific rate for making payments based on the experience and capabilities of veteran artistes.  In this day and age, higher recognition should be given to the arts industry as compared to previous eras.

 “As such, industry players themselves should value the contributions of veteran artistes. Accordingly, an artiste should be paid based on his or her seniority despite a decline in taste among filmgoers or television viewers, but professionally, veteran artistes outperform new artistes with no training and guidance needed,” he said.

He said a cooperative for arts activists is needed which can provide various benefits to members such as medical benefits, house and car purchase facilities as well as personal loan financing.

In addition, he said a bank data should also be created with all information on veteran artistes whether they are active or otherwise, such as their home address, latest contact numbers and their achievements.  

 The bank data, he added, should be regularly updated to facilitate the process of disbursing immediate aid to the recipients, especially those who are in need.

 He said a special allowance can also be given to the artistes and that the amount should be a fair reflection of current living costs.

For Muhammed Izzat, veteran artistes should be regarded as a knowledge asset for the nation given their invaluable experience and talents and as a source of reference for arts students at both public and private institutions of higher learning.

 “A documentary or a book on the veteran artistes should be produced with royalties from these publications given to them. As such, the public will appreciate their contributions and at the same time lend their support by contributing to the veteran artistes’ welfare fund,” he said.

He also advised young artistes to be prepared for their future financially through contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) given the ups and downs of the industry.

 “The government can also provide business courses with the objective of diversifying the young artistes’ skills besides providing a special fund or financial loan scheme for those starting a business,” he said.

The Malaysian Artistes Association (Seniman) opined that a policy should be introduced for the welfare of senior artistes.

 Its president Zed Zaidi (his real name Rozaidi Abdul Jamil) said the proposed policy is among the thrusts of the association’s programme at present to protect  veteran artistes, but so far no action has been taken from the parties concerned.

 “We have proposed the need for a new policy at the policy level to protect the interest of veteran artistes. For example, television stations should be guided by the policies set by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) by ensuring that 30 per cent of the storyline should be allotted to veteran artistes.

 “For example, if a 26-episode drama is to be aired by a television station, 30 per cent should use the services of senior artistes. This should begin with government-owned stations followed by private stations. If implemented, this proposed policy will provide more job opportunities for them,” he added.

Meanwhile, Zed Zaidi expressed hope that the Film Community Fund which has been approved by the government in the 2023 Budget, can also be extended in terms of giving assistance to veteran artistes.

On other initiatives undertaken by Seniman, Zed Zaidi said the main objective is to help its members own a house under the Program Perumahan Rakyat or PPR (People’s Housing Programme).

 “So far, more than 37 PPR units have been acquired and are owned by veteran artistes. Seniman will continue to give priority to this issue besides other matters related to job opportunities to help them make a living.” he said.

To another question, he said: "The number of artistes in the industry is declining because they cannot generate a good income. As such, focus should be given by the government to help them in terms of their welfare, health as well as job opportunities for their survival and wellbeing.”

  "Consider the senior artistes’ years of experience, if they no longer can act, their expertise can be leveraged to teach young arts activists,” he added.

 Seniman currently has 7,600 members and of the total, some 3,000 are veteran artistes while only 100 members contribute to the Social Security Organisation (Socso).

 Earlier, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the issue of film industry workers is currently among the top priorities of the ministry and it is hoped that it can provide a ‘new ray of hope’ for local arts activists including veteran artistes.

  

Translated by Salbiah Said

 

-- BERNAMA