Malaysian drove 2,570km across Peninsular Malaysia in 14 days with just RM1,000

Mushamir took two months to modify his car before embarking on his journey. Photos: Mushamir Mustafa

Think you could travel across Peninsular Malaysia, live in your car, and do it all for just RM1,000?

Group marketing and communications manager Mushamir Mustafa, 33, did just that, demonstrating that with creativity and grit, adventure doesn’t have to come with luxury.

On Aug 16, Mushamir set out from Kuala Lumpur on a bold mission: To live entirely in his car while driving to all four corners of Peninsular Malaysia.

His trusty Proton Iriz doubled as his home on wheels, a survival pod and an expedition vehicle.

Surviving on just RM15 a day, Mushamir kept his meals simple.

“I completed the journey in two weeks, surviving on a barebone budget of RM1,000.

“I told my mum it might actually be cheaper to travel across Malaysia than to stay at home – my electricity came from solar power, water from public spots, I used only a fan instead of air conditioning, and even my parking was free, so I was practically living without many expenses,” shares Mushamir during a phone interview from Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

It took Mushamir two months of do-it-yourself car modifications before he started his journey. The conversion cost nearly RM7,000.

“I removed the rear seats and installed a bed platform from two wooden planks, fitted 40l of water tanks, and built an electric shower system with a pop-up tent. Power came from a power station paired with flexible solar panels.

“A DIY sunroof ventilation modification provided airflow. My ‘micro kitchen’ was built into an ammunition box containing a rice cooker, kettle, stove and utensils.

“On the roof, a cargo bag held pots and pans. I built my car into a motorhome using mostly reused gear and creativity,” explains Mushamir, who was born in Bangladesh and grew up in Brazil, Kosovo, Namibia and Sudan.

Mushamir’s car doubled as a home on wheels, equipped with solar panels on the roof.

A shoestring budget

Mushamir decided to make the trip as he had resigned from his previous job and had some time on his hands.

He travelled down south, heading to the southernmost tip at Tanjung Piai in Pontian, Johor and then to Tanjung Penyusop in Kota Tinggi, Johor.

Next, he drove along the East Coast to the northern edge at Pengkalan Kubor in Kelantan, and finally up to the Thai border at Padang Besar, Perlis.

He then travelled south again, returning to Kuala Lumpur on Aug 31, completing the loop with stops at KLCC and Dataran Merdeka.

The total distance travelled was 2,570km.

This marks his third round-trip across Malaysia. His first journey, in 2020, was in a pick-up truck, spanning 11 days and costing thousands as he stayed in hotels and homestays.

Mushamir’s journey shows that exploration is about creativity, courage and embracing the unexpected along the way.

Earlier this year, he completed his second trip – a 33-day bicycle journey across Malaysia and Singapore.

Last year, Mushamir made headlines when news of him living in his car surfaced.

The founder of Humans of Kuala Lumpur (HOKL) – a photo and video journalism platform – said his decision isn’t driven by homelessness, family disputes or debt, but by the current economic climate.

By living in his car, he saves up to RM2,000 a month – money that would have gone to rental, petrol, tolls, utility bills and other expenses. He was drawn to the idea of living in a car after watching a YouTube tutorial on the subject.

During his two-week road trip, Mushamir survived on just RM15 a day for meals.

He spent RM490 on petrol over the fortnight, avoided tolls by sticking to trunk roads, and set aside RM285 for experiences such as waterparks, museums, kayaking and mosque donations.

His 14-day journey wasn’t without challenges and adventure.

In Melaka, disaster struck when his brand-new solar panels failed. He spent three hours troubleshooting before resorting to buying two 200W panels for RM600.

Mushamir’s trusty car has taken him to all corners of Malaysia.

Safety concerns were also an issue.

“To me, every day was filled with fear. I worried about the next destination – would I find a toilet, would it be safe, would the police disturb me?

“These thoughts were always on my mind. I used an app called iOverlander, which suggests campsites around the world, but not every place in Malaysia had listings.

“Now, after travelling around, I have figured things out and learned along the way,” says Mushamir, who shares videos about his travels on Instagram.

He recalls how in Cherating, Pahang, a parking tout once demanded money for a public parking spot.

But his biggest nightmare happened near Banjaran Titiwangsa, when a group of mat rempits (illegal motorbike racers) disturbed him in the early hours of the morning.

“They kicked my external petrol tank so hard it jolted me awake. I froze inside, my hand gripping a tomahawk axe.

“My train horn was ready as a deterrent. I didn’t know if I should confront them or just run. They had no idea I was inside.

“After 10 minutes, they finally left. I barely slept that night,” says Mushamir, adding that solo travel, while adventurous, can also feel lonely at times.

Mushamir during his recent cycling trip around Malaysia. Photo: Instagram/Mushamir.exploringstoryteller

A life on wheels

But his travels also gave him many good memories.

In Cherating, he befriended a Canadian backpacker who had been living on the beach.

In Batu Ferringhi, Penang, he met a security guard who had once been a millionaire but lost everything during the pandemic.

He also visited a parang (machete) smith in Bidor, Perak, the same shop where his late father had bought a parang years ago.

“In Kelantan, I even joined a local dikir barat performance, which was a lot of fun! The locals invited me to join, and I ended up clapping, chanting and laughing with them. It was one of those spontaneous moments where you feel completely alive, a stranger folded into the rhythm of tradition.”

Through his experience, Mushamir wants to share with others that Malaysia can be explored for the price of a month’s rent in KL.

“I showed that you don’t need hotels or big money to travel. Just discipline, creativity and the courage to live differently. With just RM1,000, you can travel to places like Taman Negara in Pahang, or Penang, and save so much money on accommodation.

“Of course, you’ll need to figure out toilets and showers, but the real joy is in the journey – you’re going there for the place and the food.

“Driving along trunk roads is more fun, and you can stop anytime for snacks. I believe more people will want to try this kind of travel,” says Mushamir, who plans to tour East Malaysia in his car in the near future.

Would he survive on a budget of RM1,000 again? Let’s wait and see.