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:
- Picking up leftover food from food courts or trash bins
- Riding a bicycle for daily commutes
- Showering at hospitals or petrol stations
- Sleeping in his car or finding abandoned places to rest
- Drinking cold water from mamak stalls to feel full
- Using public libraries to charge his phone and do work
- Washing clothes while bathing, rotating between 8 outfits, cleaning one set each day
He added, “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.
I’m not asking for subsidies or handouts. I’ve just accepted this. Maybe I’m not good at work, or maybe I’ve just been burned out by being a slave to the managerial class,” he shared.
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.
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.
In response, the OP wrote: “I used to work in F&B with a total of 6 years’ experience. I know how to do dumpster diving and pick up the safest food to eat. I was often the one throwing out waste, so I knew what to collect.”
Mixed reactions
In the comment section, some responded with compassion and practical tips with one sharing 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.
However, not everyone reacted with empathy. Some were harsh, criticising his lifestyle choices and calling them shameful. Others also questioned how he could afford a phone or petrol.
The OP later replied by writing, “I study part-time and work too. If I don’t have a phone, how am I supposed to survive?”
“As for the car, it’s just for storage or sleeping. If I need to prepare anything, I’ll go to the hospital or a nearby mamak.”
View on Threads
