M'sia singer, 41, who got S$1,000 at Yishun getai, allegedly couldn't enter S'pore over permit issue

On Sep. 9, when crossing from Johor into Singapore to perform at a getai show, Malaysian singer Cyntia Rynda Tan, 41, was reportedly detained and questioned by officers at Singapore's checkpoint for three hours.

She was later told by immigration officers that she needed a work permit if she made an income from the performances before being denied entry and turned back to Malaysia.

Ushered into room for further checks

Tan told 8world that she arrived at the checkpoint at around 6pm on Sep. 9.

However, instead of the routine immigration checks, Singapore's immigration officers took away her passport and ushered her into a room for further checks.

According to Tan, the officers allegedly asked about her frequent travels across the Causeway and reminded her that she was required to apply for a permit if she made an income from her performances.

Tan shared that another Malaysian getai singer, Zeng Qingyong, was similarly held for further checks, about 30 minutes after her.

The two singers were held for three hours before being told to return to Johor.

Unsure if permit required

Tan said that in her 10 years of performing at shows in Singapore, this was the first time such an incident occurred.

"I was under the impression that red packets from getai performances did not warrant a permit," Tan said.

However, she said that she was aware of a website to register for a permit, but was not sure if it was still required following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Took home S$1,000 in gratuities

According to 8world, Tan performed at a getai in Yishun on Sep. 7 and received red packets and gratuities totalling more S$1,000.

Industry insiders shared with 8world that gratuities of more than S$1,000 was uncommon in the local scene, and others might have reported her to the authorities out of envy.

However, Tan disputed the amount she received, claiming that she did not receive S$1,000 in gratuities.

Loss of income

The singer was scheduled to perform at 57 shows during this year's Hungry Ghost Festival, and had already performed 37 of them by Sep. 9.

Tan lamented that getai gratuities was an important source of annual income for her to support her three children.

Faced with the permit issue, she was unsure if she'll be able to make it for the remaining 20 shows.

She has appealed to her friend to help with the permit application, but feared that it might take up to a year.

"For now, I'm performing at gigs in Johor while trying to be thrifty and spending only on necessities," Tan said.

Performers must respect work laws: Organiser

Getai organisers that 8world spoke to pointed out that it is the responsibility of performers to ensure they have the appropriate permits to perform in Singapore.

One organiser, who did not want to be named, said getai gratuities was considered salary in the eyes of the law.

"Some people feel that gratuities are informal tips given by the audience out of goodwill. However, under the law, they are income," one organiser said.

"As long as money is transacted, whether they are in the form of red packets or performance fees, you'll need to abide by work permit laws," the organiser explained, adding that a number of Malaysian performers did not realise this.

Lack of permit application framework?

However, the organiser recognised that the industry lacks a proper permit application framework and this has left performers confused.

Getai organisers have also not intervened on the matter, leaving performers to figure things out on their own.

The organiser called on the government to implement clearer standards and infrastructure to support foreign getai performers to ease uncertainties and concerns within the industry, 8world wrote.

Jealousy commonplace

Commenting on the incident, one Malaysian performer bemoaned that jealousy is a norm amongst getai performers, especially during the month-long Hungry Ghost Festival, 8world reported.

Snitching on competitors is not unheard of, he pointed out.

"Most of us are just trying to make a living, but once people start snitching on each other, it creates an uneasy atmosphere and affects the industry's reputation," he opined.

"Over time, this will only affect the image and reputation of Malaysian performers," he added.

Top image via 8world, Cyntia Rynda Tan / Facebook