KUALA LUMPUR: The Movement Control Order (MCO) has hit many artistes hard, and they also included big names such as versatile Adibah Noor.
The award-winning singer, actress and television host uploaded a video on Twitter yesterday to say that she too, had her source of income disrupted by the MCO which halted her public appearances.
She also revealed that she suffered financial difficulties and was forced to sell her house and pawn her jewellery to make ends meet.
"People in the arts industry like me, who stand in front of the camera and on stage, appear to be well-off since we often upload videos or photos of ourselves to show that we are still active at work.
"But the reality is, during the MCO, I did not have a job and that meant no income. Only when the MCO got replaced by the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) did I get to sing, act and host again slowly," said Adibah.
Sadly, Adibah is now paid much less than before the Covid-19 pandemic emerged.
Adibah said that she was not ashamed to admit that she had to sell or pawn her belongings, because many people had to do the same too.
"It's not a shame to admit one's difficulties, what is important is that all of us strive to find a way to overcome them," she said.
Adibah added that she was not trying to get sympathy from Netizens, but to remind them that the MCO had affected everyone.
She also admitted that certain individuals had asked her for financial assistance, but had to turn them down because she too, was facing difficulties.
"I apologise for not being able to assist people in need, because I have to help myself first. I pray that all of us will overcome our difficulties. May God give us strength," she said.
The 50-year-old Adibah who has been singing and acting since the early 1990s, has three albums under her belt, with her best known song being Terlalu Istimewa, which also won her Best Song and Best Vocals at the Anugerah Juara Lagu 21.
The former English teacher has also acted in Sepet, Hoore! Hoore!, Magika and Nasi Lemak 2.0.