TELUK INTAN: Donning on a superhero costume as a street performer is not something that comes easily for most people. For Nasmeruddin Zulkifli, it all began when he lost his job during the Movement Control Order (MCO) that came about no thanks to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic which forced the entire country into lockdown.
Nasmeruddin, 31, who is popularly known as Ame, was at his wits end trying to find a way to support his family, especially his two young children who were five and two and a half years-old at the time.
"With a budget of RM100, I went ahead and bought the Spiderman costume from Shopee (an e-commerce platform). The idea came about thanks to my beloved children who are avid fans of the comic book superhero.
Refusing to admit defeat and throw in the towel, as soon as the conditions and rules of the Movement Control Order (MCO) were relaxed, Nasmeruddin became a roving street performer and entertainer, together with another friend who donned a clown costume who was known as 'Mr Minggu'.
They had caught the attention of children at the Leaning Tower Square (Dataran Menara Condong) here.
"I count my blessings that the Spiderman character turned out to be a 'lifeline' for me when I lost my job, my source of income, and it was my beloved children that gave me the strength and determination to earn a living regardless, as long as it is an honest living," said Nasmeruddin who donned the Spidey suit while looking for a permanent, full-time job.
Nasmeruddin said that initially he was actually shy and uncomfortable when donning the superhero costume for up to six, seven hours a day. But seeing the sheer joy and excitement on the faces of the children and visitors who were willing to pose for pictures with 'Spiderman', where they were also very nice to him and engaged in conversations with him, made it all worthwhile and exciting even.
"I do not put up a specific amount (for payment or donations) and visitors who want to take pictures can pay or give however much they like. If I can, I will give out chocolates and sweets to children who pose for pictures with me, or rather 'Spidey'," he said.
Nasmeruddin said that every time he goes out to perform, he is able to earn between RM30 to RM50 a day, though sometimes he may not be as lucky and goes home empty handed.
"If there are returns, then it is very good as then I can use the proceeds to contribute towards my family's living expenses or even buy toys for the children, as for me this is also a job," he said.
Now, even though he already has a stable job at a factory in Teluk Intan, his exploits in donning the popular superhero costume continues as a means to add to his income and he usually makes appearances at the Teluk Intan Leaning Tower Square or Bagan Datuk Square (Dataran Bagan Datuk) on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after he is done with work at the factory, all in the name of entertaining and bringing joy to visitors, especially the children.
"I am very grateful to those who come and visit Teluk Intan and Bagan Datuk, be it those from out of town or from within the state of Perak who have been supportive and receptive towards me all this while. I am very happy to see many people getting excited to take pictures with this 'Spidey'," he said.
Nasmeruddin said that up till now, he has five Spiderman costumes of different colours and he is planning on getting a black one to keep up with the latest trends of the popular Marvel Comics superhero .
At the same time, Nasmeruddin revealed that he also needs to watch his weight so that the superhero costume that he dons fits and is comfortable.
"I wear a size M, but I bought a costume one size bigger because I wanted to be comfortable and be able to breathe. And if I do not control and watch my food intake, then the costume will not fit nicely when I wear it and I do not want to be a big and heavy Spiderman riding a motorcycle all over Teluk Intan," he joked.