KUALA LUMPUR: Who would have thought that famed local musician and composer Ross Ariffin, who during his heyday created songs for the likes of Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Ning Baizura, Fauziah Latiff and Liza Aziz, would end up homeless and living on the streets.
Ross, who wrote the song 'Dia' that was sung by Fauziah Latiff, said he has been homeless and living on the streets, moving here and there for the past three years or so around Pasar Seni here in the city and at his home state of Melaka.
"I have been living here and there for the past three years where I have lived in and around Pasar Seni and Melaka, too. This is how I have been living, and I have been homeless," he told Harian Metro.
To add to his woes and troubles, Ross also suffered strokes twice and now had difficulty walking and speaking.
Ross, who is in a rough patch and jobless, has been living and taking shelter at the Samaritan Hope Home in Pudu.
About two years ago, the New Straits Times highlighted Ross' plight and how he had fallen on tough times and ended up living on the streets during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing Movement Control Order (MCO) phase.
"My life saw a 360-degree turn and change when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, which adversely affected me as I lost my job and other sources of income that left me jobless and penniless as I was unable to do what I do best which is making music," he said.
Ross said he had to leave the house when he divorced his wife 10 years ago.
"I have two children, but I am not in touch nor in contact with them. I do not want them to worry about my situation," he said.
Ross said that he would return to work once he has recovered.
"I will accept work opportunities or offers that suit me once I have recovered. I can play the piano at hotels to make some money. I can also write songs once again, perhaps," said the composer of the song 'Kau dan aku' by Ning Baizura.
Speaking about his extensive music repertoire, Ross said that when he was younger, he had taken part in an orchestra in London, United Kingdom, as one of the violinists, which allowed him to travel to many countries.
Once upon a time, he was actively performing as a guest artiste, musician, or sessionist.
Ross was involved in several album recording sessions with local bands and musicians, such as the famed local rock band Search.
"If possible, I want to return to my Kampung in Melaka because I feel that there are more employment opportunities there for me," he said.
Before this, he had worked folding towels and bedsheets at a budget hotel on Jonker Walk in Melaka without any salary; instead, he was allowed to stay for free.
Ross received an offer to play music every night at a restaurant on Jalan Hang Tuah in Melaka, and the restauranteur also offered free accommodation for him.
Meanwhile, Persatuan Karyawan Malaysia (Karyawan) president Datuk Freddie Fernandez also presented contributions for Ross.