KUALA LUMPUR: Singer Aweera has clapped back at Netizens who criticised certain local artistes for requesting aid from the Malaysian government following a sudden loss of income during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
The 28-year-old rocker from Perlis took to Instagram yesterday and said that it was unreasonable to compare the financial status and position of local artistes with that of foreign stars.
"It's our own people who enrich these foreign artistes. Don't ask why our talents are not as wealthy as those from overseas because our own people don't even support us. Don't be so foolish to make comparisons with international stars."
The frontman of rock band Pelita Lusoh, whose full name is Nasharul Aweera Noriyissham, added that local artistes would have long been rich like Metallica or Scorpions if they only had the full support of Malaysians.
"No need to compare with K-Pop. Those foreign artistes have taken over the world with their songs."
"Those in the local music industry should also look into this matter. Imagine how difficult it is for these artistes who have worked so hard for the industry, during trying times such as what has been going on now," he said.
The ex-vocalist for Mojo and Prime Domestic further expressed that it was high time for the relevant parties involved and the fans as well to treat the local arts practitioners fairly.
He also noted that now Malaysians in general would know how the local artistes had been feeling all this while since they themselves were facing hardships during the MCO and Covid-19 pandemic.
"Many are having trouble with their livelihoods during this current unfortunate situation. Now they will all get a little taste of how it feels for artistes who have been struggling for years now."
"Just imagine all those artistes, especially those really talented ones who were ignored before this. For those with money and wealth, they can just sit around and not bother. Sorry to say," he said.
Aweera's post was in response to a recent news report on singer Black Hanifah who had talked about how the MCO was affecting the livelihoods of local artistes.
Black added that the government should help the arts practitioners by giving them specific aid.
But his suggestion was shot down by Netizens who criticised local artistes and compared them in a negative light to K-Pop stars.
Apparently, the South Korean artistes had donated large amounts of money to help the Covid-19 victims and combat the pandemic.