During the pandemic, Muhammad Harith Ghazali gradually modified his sport utility vehicle (SUV) – a 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero he’d purchased for RM5,000 in 2020 – into a “mobile home”, complete with a sleeping area, kitchen, storage space, and even a shower.

Known for his TikTok account “Pajero Life”, which has over 117,000 followers, Harith said the idea for his road trip emerged during the Movement Control Order, when his desire to explore the outside world grew strong. Financial constraints, however, pushed him to think creatively.

“I’ve always loved travelling, but I needed a way to do it without spending a lot. At the same time, I wanted to break away from my daily routine and explore new things,” the 32-year-old shared.

He said the vehicle modifications were done over four years, inspired by YouTube content from overseas travellers who had converted their own vehicles into mobile homes.

All in all, he spent close to RM40,000 to fully equip his Pajero for long-distance travel. These efforts include engine repairs, repainting, and interior modifications.

“Only after that did I feel confident enough to travel around the entire peninsula. I started my journey in Perlis last October and made my way south to Johor, which was my last destination before returning to Kelantan,” he said.

All in all, Harith’s adventure took him 26 days.

Although his car is fitted with a gas stove and basic amenities, he preferred to stop at local eateries to experience the food and culture of each state. “I love eating local food … every state has its own unique flavours,” he said.

Harith also viewed the trip as an opportunity for self-reflection, using his alone time to better understand his strengths and weaknesses.

The graduate from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, who is self-employed, said one of the biggest challenges was making sure he arrived at each destination before 6pm, as he is not comfortable driving at night.

“Driving alone makes me feel drowsy easily. I have previously experienced microsleep, so I didn’t want to take any risks. So, I would set off after dawn and aim to arrive at my destination by evening.”

He also faced other challenges such as running out of power, leaving him to sleep in the heat – as well as contending with “eerie disturbances” in remote areas.

For those who are considering similar expeditions, Harith offers this advice: “Start by building strong mental resilience, because journeys like these are anything but easy, especially when you’re doing it alone.”

Follow Harith on TikTok.