Many artists hide their feelings, hard work but not paid – Wan Maimunah
MELAKA: Producers or drama production companies in the country are appealed to take into account the welfare of veteran actors, especially the payment aspect, thus ensuring that the group is not further oppressed, including not receiving payment as promised.
Veteran actress, Wan Maimunah Wan Abdul Aziz, 68, said, the dilemma is often faced by veteran actors, including himself when the payment made is not commensurate with the talent and experience available, causing them to be discouraged to accept acting offers.
“I have turned down a lot of offers lately. I appealed to the producers to come down to the field, see how much they paid us because sometimes it’s not the unpaid producer, the unpaid production manager.
“A lot of people don’t know about this. We are tired of working but not paid, meaning middlemen who take. Most artists hide their taste, eat their own hearts and because of interest, they swallow too,” he told reporters after the National Artists’ Day Celebration. State of Melaka here, on Tuesday.
Wan Maimunah, who has been involved in the country’s art industry for 50 years, said she was now more comfortable working voluntarily on her own volition rather than accepting an offer but being paid as it was.
The versatile actor who is synonymous with the character of tears also said that the talent of an actor or artist in the country is not highly regarded by certain parties, especially drama production companies, instead, they look more at the number of followers on social media.
“It’s very different abroad because they value the talent of an artist more. We don’t ask artists to be praised or honored but to respect them,” said the Tebrau, Johor -born actor.
Earlier, Wan Maimunah, who was also the winner of the Berita Harian Popular Female Comedian Award from 1992 to 1996/1997, said the donations and certificates of appreciation received in conjunction with the Melaka State National Artists’ Day were among the most valuable awards for her.
He said the contribution showed that there were still people who did not forget the artists in the country and appreciated their services to the country’s art industry.
At the ceremony, the actor received food donations, cash and certificates of appreciation presented by the state Exco for Unity, Information, Human Resources and Consumer Affairs, Ngwe Hee Sem and was also attended by the Director of the Melaka Information Department, Shahrom Ravin Daram Abdullah.
source – BERNAMA
