To compound matters, many people have a “throwaway” culture, where disposable and single-use products are purchased without thought.

Unfortunately, the environment takes a huge hit as these products end up in landfills, contributing towards the release of toxic greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide.

The good news is that many broken items can be fixed, as proven by Johnson Lam, the founder of a fixit community known as KakiRepair.

As a curious child, Lam enjoyed taking things apart to figure out how they worked. He told FMT he was inspired by MacGyver, the resourceful problem-solver from the popular ’80s series – also more recently rebooted – of the same name.

“I used to participate in car racing but, as I didn’t have a lot of money to buy performance parts, I would salvage industrial junk to modify my old Nissan Sunny. And I would win races,” said the 42-year-old, who works in the renewable-energy sector.

With no social media in those days, he would share his knowhow on online forums. This earned him the nickname “DIY King”.

In 2012, he started KakiDIY, an on- and offline knowledge-sharing platform aimed at creating more problem solvers and innovators.

“Both my parents are teachers, so there was always the desire to teach and share what I knew as I believe education should be free,” he said.

Upon realising, however, that Malaysians were more likely to replace than fix things, he came up with KakiRepair in 2017.

Lam and a few volunteers would run free workshops once or twice a month, where people could bring in their broken items and learn how to mend them.

He eventually began organising workshops throughout the country, including rural areas and Orang Asli communities. In the first two years alone, he conducted 30 sessions with over 2,000 participants.

“We managed to fix 25% of the items on the spot. More importantly, all the participants learnt about tools, safety, power-saving habits, and where to get spare parts, as well as various tips and tricks.

For those who are wondering, the items most commonly brought in for repair are fans. “The damage is usually caused by a melted thermal fuse, which can be easily and cheaply replaced.”

Other common appliances are faulty rice cookers, hair dryers, and power adaptors – as well as broken zippers.

According to Lam, even if one doesn’t have prior knowledge or experience in fixing things, repair solutions can usually be found on the internet. All you have to do is identify the problem or symptoms, and key in the product serial number.

This, at least, is how Lam himself learns. “I always tell people I’m no expert, as I’m always learning,” he said, adding that one who has basic knowledge on how things work is less likely to be conned by unscrupulous repairers.

But what if it can’t be fixed? “Some of our members have upcycled irreparable items and turned them into useful things.”

Creating a community was important to Lam to allow people to learn from and help one another. Today, the KakiRepair Facebook group has over 55,000 followers.

During the first lockdown, some members designed, 3D-printed and distributed over a million face shields and personal protective equipment.

And, at the end of last year, volunteers from the group helped the victims of the Taman Sri Muda floods repair 300 items worth over RM300,000 – an accomplishment that means a lot to Lam.

“Repairing prevents things from going to the landfill,” he pointed out. “I’m afraid if we don’t embrace this culture, the next generation won’t see the same skies and seas.”

Despite his corporate background, Lam is most fulfilled by being a community leader. He conducts workshops throughout Malaysia via a campervan he has modified, and hopes to eventually hold events in neighbouring countries.

He also invites those who are keen on holding their own repair workshops to get in touch with him.

As for those who are doubting their own repair skills? “This sounds clichéd, but don’t be afraid to try – at the end of the day, the item is already broken. Why not take the opportunity to learn and feed your curiosity by seeing what’s inside?

“Or,” he added with a grin, “you can unleash your inner destructiveness by damaging it more.”

Get more information on KakiRepair here, as well as via Facebook and YouTube.