M’sian Man Eats Leftovers From Food Courts & Lives In His Car For 9 Years To Survive After Losing Family Support | WeirdKaya

It’s easy to assume everyone around us is doing just fine.

But for one Malaysian man, survival means charging his phone at the library, showering at petrol stations, and living in his car, all while juggling part-time work and studies.

In a deeply personal post on Threads, the man shared the raw details of how he’s been living since 2015 off the grid, without stable housing or parental support, and relying on resourcefulness to get by.

His daily life, down to the basics

The post, titled “Survival skills utk yg MARHAEN” (Survival skills for the working class), outlined a list of daily habits he uses to survive:

He wrote, “If you’ve ever lived like a hobo and are still going through it, we’re in the same gang. Been doing this since 2015. Still breathing and cycling to class and work.”

“No handouts, just doing what I can”

The man explained that he lost parental support years ago, which pushed him into this lifestyle. Although he’s balancing part-time studies and work, he said the structure of the typical work system had demotivated him.

He also voiced frustrations with the “6+1” Malaysian work culture (six working days with only certain public holidays off and rarely two consecutive rest days), as well as the pressure of investing in education that didn’t seem to pay off.

“I know what’s safe to eat”

Not long after posting, netizens began chiming in with suggestions and concerns. Some recommended that he look into working at restaurants, where free meals are sometimes provided.

But he revealed that he was no stranger to the F&B scene.

“I used to work in F&B with a total of 6 years’ experience,” he said.

Concern and kindness pour in

As his story spread, others responded with compassion and practical tips. One commenter shared that there are volunteers handing out free meals to the homeless near Chow Kit and Masjid Jamek, wishing him protection and better days ahead.

Another user encouraged him to be more cautious with his food choices.

“It’s okay to live in your car and shower at public toilets, but please don’t eat food from the bin. You’ve already saved on rent. Don’t risk your health, it’ll cost you more in the long run.”

A few even shared money-saving tips, such as buying discounted cooked meals at Lotus’s supermarkets between 4.30PM and 6PM, where prices can drop as low as RM2–RM5.

Not all responses were kind

Still, not everyone reacted with empathy. Some were harsh, criticising his lifestyle choices and calling them shameful.

One person wrote, “This isn’t survival. You’re living like a dog. Even foreign workers come here and work hard to earn a clean living. Don’t shame yourself like this.”

Others questioned how he could afford a phone or petrol. To that, he responded, “I study part-time and work too. If I don’t have a phone, how am I supposed to survive?”

He also clarified that he only uses his car when absolutely necessary.

“The car is mostly just for storage or sleeping. If I need to prep anything, I’ll go to the hospital or a nearby mamak.”

“Just because I’m okay doesn’t mean I should be”

Despite the criticism, several netizens gently reminded him not to normalise hardship. Their message was clear: survival is valid, but no one deserves to live in a state of constant struggle.

“Don’t normalise this kind of living,” one user wrote.

“It’s not about being rich. These are basic human needs. Just because you’re okay with it doesn’t mean you should live like this.”

And while the post was filled with mixed opinions, one message captured the emotional weight of it all:“Whatever’s going on in your head right now, I hope you heal and find peace.”

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