By Yip Wai Yee, The Straits Times, Monday, 24 August 2015
Malaysian acts, such as Sun Cola (Yang Guang Ke Le), 18, are known to jazz up their shows with dazzling costumes and slick dance moves.
ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG, Published on 23 August 2015 at 5:00 am SGT
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitawPPzX98oz7Ny0WW0NGXrdXmAOm0pV6cNjfK0w1pzdRDH-YdkHNEel8UvAj4XVhTKQRPg5r2os1xquxmsCUUASejXi-L5v0ewmLEEivvaEVHgP4hV9gHXRSZ-3vX7dqSXu3qfSX6968/s1600/ST_20150823_LIFJIAYI2_1620991-1.png
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOn1jE2qQSqgRGEaPzU-9xpUB3SYUrIWy4AWU7Lgljee_ctsXWHsWiCskk1lf-BNLenRbNba6S9vhq-0bEFzfR1iErmqNs73lALQgJv-6aZkqJtc5WlVhmoQ7ojItnXf_KSTWYyi4SEUM/s1600/ST_20150823_LIFJIAYI2_1620991-11.png
http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/styles/x_large/public/articles/2015/08/23/ST_20150823_LIFJIAYI2_1620991.jpg?itok=MBp2Uzcw
http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/johor-getai-singers-flocking-to-singapore
The Seventh Lunar Month is in full swing, during which it is traditionally believed that the gates of Hell open to let spirits roam the streets. But during this Hungry Ghost season, there is a different kind of hungry visitor from across another border: the Malaysian getai performer.
Malaysian acts have long been familiar sights in local getai, which are concerts believed to appease ghosts so that they do not disturb the living.
Malaysian acts have long been familiar sights in local getai. But with the ringgit at a record low against the Singdollar, more Malaysians are crossing the Causeway to take advantage of the stronger Singapore currency.
Photo Source: The Straits Times
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrGy-MlzMQ8OuCI77UMhzW1o0lIl2MxpbNwvf_szCoBDbXtPLdtSXk-jpnHEz9wGDx4caI3YEFD67GUW7-nDZIAdKqgOtp1Lj6jeBQcL3JExDWNfDecgNgALJC7-EKLtY4BHPT5WXEv4/s1600/getai_01.jpg
http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_01.jpg?itok=Q2cc0kek
http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
However, with the ringgit at a record low against the Singapore dollar (about RM2.97 to S$1), more Malaysians are crossing the Causeway to take advantage of the stronger Singapore currency.
The result is a Malaysian invasion, with some Singaporean acts feeling the heat, say getai organisers.
Photo Source: The Straits Times
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9KhP8R9jMItRRQangYrb7mCX__Sw-A0j1vgvo37HGdiM3q6zF-TA35toVQBJjvnnbo6LTCPN7bGfwnqY66qqf2zl0GFvZ_bFByBxPE8_J1vFe0WrkEVh1K_6rpCuQuI5yZN3lZkEaKA/s1600/getai_03.jpg
http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_03.jpg?itok=5WbWLwtt
http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
Veteran local getai organiser Peter Loh, 64, estimates there is a 30 per cent increase in the number of Malaysians coming here. He is organising 30 concerts across Singapore during the Hungry Ghost season, which runs from Aug 14 to Sept 12 this year.
For him, it makes financial sense to hire Malaysians because they are cheaper and better.
Photo Source: The Straits Times
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rzAbvrRpmP9pybhY7ADbAAnQQwOHrWDNp0ehfX283WyKKqIQgf4K-iCYKx9F7JGLSCPg_qmrHSrBWweWO-4wTu2JTqTFCyv5-NCNo9uzKwznzZsfdJYQcRP8iNG-sHyynHqxHj6ajlE/s1600/getai_04-1.jpg
http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_04.jpg?itok=xAN06202
http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
"Malaysian performers do whatever they can to make their shows more exciting - from spending more money on costumes to changing their act," says the man who has been organising getai concerts for more than 40 years.
"Singaporean performers are very sui bian (lackadaisical in Mandarin) in comparison."
In his line-up of performers this year, four out of 10 singers are Malaysians, double last year's number.
"If Malaysian getai singers cost me less money but can deliver equally or even more entertaining shows, then why wouldn't I choose to hire them?" Mr Loh says.
Photo Source: The Straits Times
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8JeKCV89rtClEPWNs4p4bqnH0MHNMo8Yd56PYAG7hD7lNve_lzyFBoB6nTVvVlbOViLo0Pqbf9CwdboyjII3QIUW_PgYiwsh9_7Qow1CyEPs2Zz_FxjpsNMJldGE_WEXEbLaHuCP1J8/s1600/getai_05-1.jpg
http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_05.jpg?itok=pB9LC8Zh
http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
In the weeks leading up to the getai season, he received many phone calls and social media messages from aspiring Malaysian singers hoping to be booked for jobs here.
"I don't even ask them to send me video samples of their work when they call me because Malaysian getai singers are, in general, of a high standard," he says.
Photo Source: The Straits Times
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsfGvdPy96fGbrAkgHlUaZTu0C09qJwikoPBIaxZYsmDdrJRz04Ekk8ucD0OrWGNa5Zd7J21ov989YpLWE12vM5nTTSdSU-HcY-UebwHagv9ub8B6z4XiXS23k4DedafKuZo348V4tHQ/s1600/getai_06-1.jpg
http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_06.jpg?itok=6q97A_Uq
http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
To him, it all boils down to what is value for money.
"If Malaysian getai singers cost me less money but can deliver equally or even more entertaining shows, then why wouldn't I choose to hire them?" Mr Loh says. "I am a businessman after all."
That said, the A-listers, regardless of nationality, such as Singapore's Wang Lei, Taiwan's Hao Hao and Malaysia's Li Baoen, are still in demand.
Photo Source: The Straits Times
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBezz3I9jhkdgrUK3JU6um_N_8Uem_1SBqod-3-ZtMqA0AWuHpmLLAShwa-0kG45KlvzyuQyq4Z38AzJs5toesOnxIXCtURdLCm0vBrG_t8XudRUZIcDyINjd0TuU_DkGdlgnTc7-y9Xo/s1600/getai_10.jpg
http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_10.jpg?itok=tiZ6b9cu
http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
This is how the business works: A client, say a wet market association or a clan association, pays a lump sum to a getai organiser to put on a show.
A show typically costs anything from $4,000 to $16,000 and the money is used to cover everything from the performers' fees to stage, lighting and music equipment set-ups. The organisers then take a cut of whatever funds are left.
By Yip Wai Yee, The Straits Times, Monday, 24 August 2015
Photo Source: The Straits Times
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGK7OZyRKJ2hn_wY9je6rowlYxVFUTeJoEjDSjtwGU7EM_IGMd4opghECyfTNDmrbqMIYJeaNLBMPlKnOjG_Qcb_LPWFVcK-ToWSyBUOBZYZUQAdV6xdktc-2WOo85le0Z67dWT-Fte0/s1600/getai_12.jpg
http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_12.jpg?itok=6TztrKME
http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
Photo Source: The Straits Times
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzN5R8a0K1o-3F3oqSYZWCLQ-RLKNU8ULrgivUgOzeOM94pKCzavv636PZVceLElZq5gfu7di0IW99px69Zq6XSGJ23eGeSfxFFVNk4ajdTidJ7VnsTP7-rvkcwJR2ruHaHAzASArufm8/s1600/getai_13.jpg
http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_13.jpg?itok=h6qE_182
http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
But during this Hungry Ghost season, there is a different kind of hungry visitor from across another border: the Malaysian getai performer.
Submitted by SweetMaria on 24 August 2012
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_B2Wbh_owcwM4L6CvjKjLTyWp5cAv1dnxMjjq24-euw3wg3y9QsE16bUz3v3My0yIMpKuJVLj5Nf3exB3G1e5XlTEta5GIB_49B75mOAoKEtzXotYViAly18PXvqjSoPjeKYX2jBiGw/s1600/31065-vampire-vampire.jpg
http://stuffpoint.com/vampire/image/31065-vampire-vampire.jpg
http://stuffpoint.com/vampire/image/31065/vampire-picture/
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqu_sWOPkoJuE_Hchm3RPClBKAZgvEssYhWUGggaEDyvbrGWfojLTc1qnqPFyNM5giLhTVvjisce58hx9_64lmaU5spWfwEi6uU4cDuV1mRtsHU_C7Ejw3LsYY8fgs6Q_ly5cpjhFf-Cg/s1600/ST_20150823_LIFJIAYI2_1620991-2.png
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOziFAnM3N9oZx_ey6-OOqGAhZigo-tb7m9vPMlS8AAb_3xONQEH9yaTNfMNThYi9Z7Qmy3VCTJ1GC50qR0Qqv7k0dQvZ2Lhj_AecV6bS_C32JOrE5ZKSkDJzXsX7EATJiCgWICbtNBY/s1600/ST_20150823_LIFJIAYI2_1620991-21.png
http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/johor-getai-singers-flocking-to-singapore
Reference
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitawPPzX98oz7Ny0WW0NGXrdXmAOm0pV6cNjfK0w1pzdRDH-YdkHNEel8UvAj4XVhTKQRPg5r2os1xquxmsCUUASejXi-L5v0ewmLEEivvaEVHgP4hV9gHXRSZ-3vX7dqSXu3qfSX6968/s1600/ST_20150823_LIFJIAYI2_1620991-1.png
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOn1jE2qQSqgRGEaPzU-9xpUB3SYUrIWy4AWU7Lgljee_ctsXWHsWiCskk1lf-BNLenRbNba6S9vhq-0bEFzfR1iErmqNs73lALQgJv-6aZkqJtc5WlVhmoQ7ojItnXf_KSTWYyi4SEUM/s1600/ST_20150823_LIFJIAYI2_1620991-11.png
- http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/styles/x_large/public/articles/2015/08/23/ST_20150823_LIFJIAYI2_1620991.jpg?itok=MBp2Uzcw
- http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/johor-getai-singers-flocking-to-singapore
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrGy-MlzMQ8OuCI77UMhzW1o0lIl2MxpbNwvf_szCoBDbXtPLdtSXk-jpnHEz9wGDx4caI3YEFD67GUW7-nDZIAdKqgOtp1Lj6jeBQcL3JExDWNfDecgNgALJC7-EKLtY4BHPT5WXEv4/s1600/getai_01.jpg
- http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_01.jpg?itok=Q2cc0kek
- http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9KhP8R9jMItRRQangYrb7mCX__Sw-A0j1vgvo37HGdiM3q6zF-TA35toVQBJjvnnbo6LTCPN7bGfwnqY66qqf2zl0GFvZ_bFByBxPE8_J1vFe0WrkEVh1K_6rpCuQuI5yZN3lZkEaKA/s1600/getai_03.jpg
- http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_03.jpg?itok=5WbWLwtt
- http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rzAbvrRpmP9pybhY7ADbAAnQQwOHrWDNp0ehfX283WyKKqIQgf4K-iCYKx9F7JGLSCPg_qmrHSrBWweWO-4wTu2JTqTFCyv5-NCNo9uzKwznzZsfdJYQcRP8iNG-sHyynHqxHj6ajlE/s1600/getai_04-1.jpg
- http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_04.jpg?itok=xAN06202
- http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8JeKCV89rtClEPWNs4p4bqnH0MHNMo8Yd56PYAG7hD7lNve_lzyFBoB6nTVvVlbOViLo0Pqbf9CwdboyjII3QIUW_PgYiwsh9_7Qow1CyEPs2Zz_FxjpsNMJldGE_WEXEbLaHuCP1J8/s1600/getai_05-1.jpg
- http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_05.jpg?itok=pB9LC8Zh
- http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsfGvdPy96fGbrAkgHlUaZTu0C09qJwikoPBIaxZYsmDdrJRz04Ekk8ucD0OrWGNa5Zd7J21ov989YpLWE12vM5nTTSdSU-HcY-UebwHagv9ub8B6z4XiXS23k4DedafKuZo348V4tHQ/s1600/getai_06-1.jpg
- http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_06.jpg?itok=6q97A_Uq
- http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBezz3I9jhkdgrUK3JU6um_N_8Uem_1SBqod-3-ZtMqA0AWuHpmLLAShwa-0kG45KlvzyuQyq4Z38AzJs5toesOnxIXCtURdLCm0vBrG_t8XudRUZIcDyINjd0TuU_DkGdlgnTc7-y9Xo/s1600/getai_10.jpg
- http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_10.jpg?itok=tiZ6b9cu
- http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGK7OZyRKJ2hn_wY9je6rowlYxVFUTeJoEjDSjtwGU7EM_IGMd4opghECyfTNDmrbqMIYJeaNLBMPlKnOjG_Qcb_LPWFVcK-ToWSyBUOBZYZUQAdV6xdktc-2WOo85le0Z67dWT-Fte0/s1600/getai_12.jpg
- http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_12.jpg?itok=6TztrKME
- http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzN5R8a0K1o-3F3oqSYZWCLQ-RLKNU8ULrgivUgOzeOM94pKCzavv636PZVceLElZq5gfu7di0IW99px69Zq6XSGJ23eGeSfxFFVNk4ajdTidJ7VnsTP7-rvkcwJR2ruHaHAzASArufm8/s1600/getai_13.jpg
- http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Aug2015/getai_13.jpg?itok=h6qE_182
- http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/johor-getai-singers-flocking-singapore
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_B2Wbh_owcwM4L6CvjKjLTyWp5cAv1dnxMjjq24-euw3wg3y9QsE16bUz3v3My0yIMpKuJVLj5Nf3exB3G1e5XlTEta5GIB_49B75mOAoKEtzXotYViAly18PXvqjSoPjeKYX2jBiGw/s1600/31065-vampire-vampire.jpg
- http://stuffpoint.com/vampire/image/31065-vampire-vampire.jpg
- http://stuffpoint.com/vampire/image/31065/vampire-picture/
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqu_sWOPkoJuE_Hchm3RPClBKAZgvEssYhWUGggaEDyvbrGWfojLTc1qnqPFyNM5giLhTVvjisce58hx9_64lmaU5spWfwEi6uU4cDuV1mRtsHU_C7Ejw3LsYY8fgs6Q_ly5cpjhFf-Cg/s1600/ST_20150823_LIFJIAYI2_1620991-2.pn
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOziFAnM3N9oZx_ey6-OOqGAhZigo-tb7m9vPMlS8AAb_3xONQEH9yaTNfMNThYi9Z7Qmy3VCTJ1GC50qR0Qqv7k0dQvZ2Lhj_AecV6bS_C32JOrE5ZKSkDJzXsX7EATJiCgWICbtNBY/s1600/ST_20150823_LIFJIAYI2_1620991-21.png
- http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/styles/x_large/public/articles/2015/08/23/ST_20150823_LIFJIAYI2_1620991.jpg?itok=MBp2Uzcw
- http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/johor-getai-singers-flocking-to-singapore