#SHOWBIZ: Hasnol's hard times: Veteran singer survives on e-hailing, busking, living in workers' quarters

KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran singer Hasnol has opened up about a difficult chapter in his life, revealing that he is currently staying in temporary workers' quarters provided by a friend in Shah Alam, Selangor.

The 56-year-old artiste, whose real name is Hasnol Hassan Ariff, said he is working hard to rebuild his life while searching for a stable income.

His financial situation has hit such a low point that he often skips meals to stretch his daily budget for essentials.

"That's just reality for me right now. I eat whatever I can afford. If all I can get is roti canai, then that's what gets me through the day," he shared.

Best known for his 90s hit Laguku Untukmu, Hasnol admitted that his current life is a far cry from his heyday. Even so, he is choosing to stay positive and accept the situation as part of his journey.

"Maybe this is a gentle reminder from God to return to Him. He can take away luxury at any moment. I've accepted what has been fated for me," he said.

To make ends meet, Hasnol drives for an e-hailing service during the week and busks on weekends. While he still gets queries for singing gigs, turning interest into actual paid work remains tricky.

"I still get invitations to perform, but people often ask about my rates and then go silent," he explained.

His current hardship follows a tough setback earlier in May, when he was forced to vacate his rented home after falling behind on payments.

At the time, he made a public appeal for work with only 10 days left to pack up and leave.