Man lives off food court leftovers & sleeps in car for 9 years after losing family support
A Malaysian man has shared his story of surviving on the margins for nearly a decade ever since he lost family support in 2015.
Source: @zwingzang on Threads
In a candid Threads post on Tuesday (27 May), user @zwingzang began with the line: “Survival skills for the working class.”
What followed was a glimpse into the resourceful — and at times harsh — routines that have kept him going.
Over the past nine years, he said he has:
- Scavenged for food court leftovers and discarded meals
- Commuted daily by bicycle
- Showered at hospitals or petrol stations
- Lived in his car or sought shelter in abandoned buildings
- Drank lots of iced water from mamak stalls to feel full
- Charged his phone and got work done at public libraries
- Washed clothes while showering
Source: @zwingzang on Threads
“Anyone who’s ever lived like a hobo and is still going through it, we’re in the same boat,” he wrote.
Lack of parental support led him to adopt rough lifestyle
Responding to questions from curious netizens, @zwingzang shared that he had been juggling part-time work and part-time studies before circumstances pushed him into this way of life.
He’s been living off the grid since losing parental support several years ago.
Source: @zwingzang on Threads
“I’m not looking for sympathy or assistance. I’ve simply come to terms with it,” he wrote. “Maybe I’m just not cut out for the workforce, or maybe years of serving the managerial class have left me completely burnt out.”
He also criticised Malaysia’s demanding “6+1” work culture (six days of work with only one day off), describing it as a system that rarely allows for two consecutive days of rest.
Adding to his disillusionment, he expressed regret over the pressure to invest heavily in higher education, which, for him, failed to provide the financial stability it promised.
Netizens express concern over food safety, suggest alternatives
Following his post, several netizens voiced concern about the safety of eating leftovers collected from food courts and restaurants.
Source: @zwingzang on Threads
Some suggested that he consider working in a restaurant, where staff meals are typically provided.
Translation: Work at a food stall — meals, drinks, and accommodation are provided. You can also ask the boss for an advance, which can be deducted from your salary later.
Source: @zwingzang on Threads
Others cautioned against retrieving food from rubbish bins, noting that there are safer and more dignified ways to obtain meals.
Translation: Sorry, I can’t agree with picking food from the trash or food court leftovers. It’s just not hygienic. The rest, I can accept. No matter how tough life gets, there’s always a way to find food. Even if it’s just plain rice in desperate times, you can survive. But eating from the trash or other people’s leftovers? That’s where I draw the line.
Source: @zwingzang on Threads
In response, the man reassured them that he knows how to identify food that is still safe to eat, citing six years of experience working in the food and beverage industry.
One user offered a more practical solution, pointing him toward local volunteer groups in Kuala Lumpur that regularly distribute free food to those in need.
Translation: Hi Abang, I hope this is just a social experiment. Still, it breaks my heart to see anyone living like this. If you’re in the KL area — around Chow Kit or Masjid Jamek — there are volunteers who regularly distribute free meals to the homeless. May Allah bless and protect you and your family with abundant sustenance.
Source: @zwingzang on Threads
In a follow-up post on Wednesday (28 May), the man said he didn’t expect his thoughts to go viral.
He reassured readers that he has been living this way since 2015 and is well-adjusted to the lifestyle.
“I’m okay,” he wrote. “I’ve been through this for years. It’s not a problem for me anymore.”
Also read: Elderly Man Eats Leftovers At Waterloo Street, Volunteers Give Cash To Buy Meals
Elderly Man Eats Leftovers At Waterloo Street, Volunteers Give Cash To Buy Meals
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Featured image adapted from @zwingzang on Threads.
