KUALA LUMPUR: Artistes in associations have to stay united and avoid politicking if they are serious about making the entertainment industry grow.
This is popular singer Dayang Nurfaizah’s honest opinion of the various artiste associations, and she strongly hopes that they can unite under one roof someday.
“Multiple associations represent people in the performing arts. This can be problematic when it comes to discussing important issues with the government.
“In addition, politicking amongst association leaders is commonplace and this makes artistes avoid their ‘representatives’, she said in a recent news report.
Dayang admitted that some associations and their leaders were actually “doing a great job” looking after the interests of artistes, and encouraged more artistes to join such associations.
“It is best for artistes to be members of a single association - with various departments representing singers, actors and production crews. A single association for all in the industry, rather than several associations doing the same
work, makes life a lot easier for all of us.”
Dayang said she is a member of a major artiste association, and used to be active in its projects. However, her busy work schedule has rendered her less active today.
“It is not easy to unite us under one association, but I believe that it will happen if we put the interests of the entertainment industry first and foremost.”
On another note, the award-winning singer advised new artistes not to give up hope if they found that their singles were “not getting enough airplay”.
“When I started my career, I faced such difficulties, too, but I persevered and worked hard to promote my music. Nothing comes easy, we have to be resilient and have faith in ourselves, only then we will succeed,” added the award-winning artiste.