2nd September 2026 - 3 min read
For a growing number of young Malaysians, getting to work means owning a car, even when the cost leaves little room in their monthly budgets.
Political writer Maithilli Kalaiselvan, 26, bought a car last October despite earning less than RM2,500 after deductions. With no safe public transport option during her odd working hours, she felt she had little practical alternative.
Her monthly motoring costs came to at least RM1,007, before insurance and servicing. That included RM657 for the instalment, RM250 for petrol, and RM100 for tolls and parking. The strain eventually affected her daily life. She began eating only one meal a day to cut costs, which led to gastric problems.
She is not alone. Human resources consultant Safwan Adlan Johari, 26, spends roughly RM800 a month on his car, while public relations consultant Elysa Ahmad Nizam, 24, spends around RM1,200. Marketing executive Law Zhen Bond, 24, spends about RM1,000.
It might seem like petrol is the biggest expense in owning a car, but RON95 remains subsidised at RM1.99 per litre under the BUDI95 programme. The bigger costs come from loan instalments, insurance, parking, tolls and servicing, which can add up to hundreds or even more than RM1,000 a month. For younger workers earning modest salaries, that leaves little room for savings or unexpected expenses.
Despite the financial strain, more people are still buying cars, according to Malaysian Automotive Association data. Total industry vehicle sales rose 5% year-on-year to 73,615 units in July, while passenger vehicle sales climbed 7% to 68,900 units, led by SUVs and supported by dealer promotions.
Transport inflation fell to 1.4% from 2.8% in June. But lower transport inflation does not necessarily mean young workers are feeling less financial pressure. Food and beverage inflation accelerated to 1.8% in July, while housing and utilities inflation also rose to 1.8%.
For someone already allocating a substantial portion of their income to commuting, increases in other everyday expenses can leave even less room in the budget.
For young workers trying to keep commuting costs down, there are alternatives to driving. The My50 unlimited travel pass offers unlimited rail and bus travel across Kuala Lumpur and Selangor for RM50 a month, making a real difference if you live and work near the network. But it only covers the Klang Valley, so if you’re in an area with poor connections, you get little benefit from it.
Flexible working arrangements could also reduce your commuting costs altogether. Under Sections 60P and 60Q of the Employment Act 1955, you can formally request changes such as working from home or adjusting your hours, though how much flexibility you actually get depends heavily on the nature of your job. To apply, submit your request in writing and state what you want changed. Your employer must respond in writing within 60 days, and any rejection has to come with valid reasons.
Before assuming a car is the only option, add up your monthly costs of commuting, including the instalment, insurance, fuel, tolls and parking. Then compare that with what you would spend on Grab or other transportation services for the same route. If a car still costs more than ride-hailing, moving closer to work or finding a job with a shorter commute could save you hundreds of ringgit every month, money that’s currently going toward a car instead.
After all, the biggest cost of having a job shouldn’t be getting to your workplace.
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Iman writes about personal finance with curiosity. She is interested in the stories behind money, the hesitation around big decisions, and the small habits that shape financial futures. Off the clock, she is either dissecting a film or climbing her way up the leaderboard in her favourite games.
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