Late Payments from Nightclubs Frustrate Malaysian Singer Atilia Haron

Singer Atilia Haron has voiced her frustration with some Kuala Lumpur nightclubs that delay payments to performers, with some taking as long as three months to settle their dues. This practice, she says, severely affects musicians who depend on these gigs for their livelihood.

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Sometimes clubs take up to three months to pay. I really don't understand why the process takes so long when the customers' payments are received on the same night.

"Sometimes clubs take up to three months to pay. I really don't understand why the process takes so long when the customers' payments are received on the same night," Atilia told Utusan Malaysia. She emphasized that even small amounts should be paid promptly, as many musicians rely on this income to survive.

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For me, even if the amount is small, pay it first because many musicians depend on that money to continue living.

Adding to the issue, Atilia pointed out that the performance fees for club singers and musicians have not increased for years. Despite performing multiple songs and sometimes two sets in a single night, the pay remains around RM200 to RM300. These fees are then shared among band members, meaning the amount paid by ticket holders covers the entire band's compensation.

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From then until now, the payment for club singers and musicians is still around RM200 to RM300 only, even though we sing many songs in one night.

While Atilia has other income streams, such as corporate events and yoga classes, she feels sympathetic towards full-time musicians and bands whose main source of income is club performances. She urged nightclub management to improve their payment processes and show greater appreciation for music professionals.

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The payment is not just for the singer because we have to share it with the band members. What the audience pays through ticket sales is what is used to pay all of us.