Still Paying Crew Wages Like 15 Years Ago - Man Bai

The Malaysian music industry faces criticism for its stagnant wages, with production crews reportedly still earning rates from 15 years ago. Despite economic shifts and increased living costs, these essential workers, who handle everything from equipment transport to stage setup, are not seeing their compensation reflect current realities.

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From then until now, what matters are the things that haven't changed much in the music industry? I think we still lack appreciation for the work of artists, musicians, and production staff.

Singer and composer Man Bai highlighted the issue, revealing that some crews receive as little as RM150 to RM200 for a single performance. He described this as unfair, noting that these rates have remained unchanged for over a decade. Man Bai contrasted this with international standards, where sound engineers, for example, focus solely on audio, while Malaysian crews often juggle multiple roles to make a living.

Man Bai stressed the importance of appreciating the work of all individuals in the music industry, from artists to production staff. He pointed out that clients may have a budget but lack an understanding of the true value of the work performed, sometimes expecting high quality while assigning multiple tasks to a single worker. He shared that even interns at his studio receive a minimum of RM800 to RM1,000, expressing his unwillingness to pay low wages, especially for external work.

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Some receive RM150 for a performance. Imagine crews who carry and set up equipment, doing all sorts of work, but are paid RM150 to RM200. Those are rates from 10 to 15 years ago that are still being used now. It's very unfair.

Reflecting on his own career, Man Bai recalled starting as a crew member under Roslan Aziz Productions in the 1990s, working with prominent artists like Sheila Majid and Zainal Abidin. This experience taught him the value of starting from the bottom and understanding the industry's intricacies. He emphasized his resilience and refusal to be easily deceived, focusing on his faith and preparing for the hereafter.

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I don't know about others, but at my studio, even interns are paid at least RM800 to RM1,000. I can't bring myself to pay low wages, let alone when we bring them for external work.