Nabil Luqman

0f9d2dd4f71434084e2b6094de1865e23abb37bb9f28ca51feeabee679ec9be2

Social

expensive

Hong Kong

cost of living

Coffin Home

perspective

rental

thankful

In Malaysia, renting can often come with a hefty price tag, especially in urban areas like Kuala Lumpur. The cost varies depending on factors such as property type&mdash;be it landed or non-landed&mdash;and proximity to the city centre. Generally, the closer you are to the urban core, the higher the rental rates tend to be. But if you think rental prices in Kuala Lumpur, or Malaysia as a whole, are steep, you may need to rethink that assumption.
Living In The Infamous Hong Kong Coffin House
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/8036054566d368e0ac071d58e9dcdef6c8bc18eee5c70c3f37d68c284544527b" />
If you haven't visited Hong Kong, it's renowned for its rapid development and bustling city life, emerging as one of China's most advanced urban centres. However, beyond its impressive skyline and bustling streets, many locals grapple with the harsh reality of affordable housing.
Over the years, the disparity between poverty and wealth has widened to alarming levels, despite the presence of some of the world's wealthiest individuals in the region. Unfortunately, a significant portion of Hong Kong's population struggles to afford even the most basic necessities, including housing.
To shed light on this issue, one Malaysian shared his firsthand experience of living in a budget apartment in Hong Kong, where exorbitant prices and cramped living conditions have become the norm.
The Harsh Reality Of A Coffin House
<iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftorgortorres%2Fvideos%2F7568311629881371%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Torres, a content creator based in Hong Kong, shared a video on Facebook shedding light on the reality of coffin homes, and he invited his editor Zuwei from Malaysia to experience life in a budget apartment firsthand.
The video vividly portrays the challenges faced by residents of the apartment on a daily basis. To provide context on pricing and size, the apartment measures a mere 79 square feet and costs RM1,910.80 per month. This starkly illustrates the disparity in living standards between Hong Kong and Malaysia. In Malaysia, such a price would typically afford a spacious apartment with all basic amenities, including multiple bedrooms. However, in Hong Kong, space comes at a premium, and residents must sacrifice comfort and space due to the exorbitant prices.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/f1d6d54d8efa132d7f1dbae57d55e84be4568dc1be22647e327f101e36360915" />
In Hong Kong, more than 200,000 individuals endure similar cramped living conditions, and the hardships associated with such small apartments are truly unimaginable. From ingeniously maximizing storage space to adjusting to the limited confines of a compact bathroom, residents must rely on pragmatism to navigate their daily lives.
While grappling with the challenges of inhabiting such tight spaces with steep rents can be overwhelming, there are instances of resilience and adaptability. Zuwei shares how proper ventilation and a modest bed help alleviate some of the discomforts in his temporary residence.
However, he also acknowledges the downsides of living in such confined quarters, recognizing their potential long-term impact on well-being.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/31bb45adf7cbfc413adbeebaf47558a1b4da3544840419c955583caa8f16750d" /> Here&rsquo;s another view of what other coffin homes can look like.
Shows How Other Living Classes Are Like In Hong Kong
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/e848c1b19f3eef39880da05bc78d6753df05ff93b4a4578478251dedc6fd7df9" />
The contrast between budget accommodations and their upscale counterparts is stark. Torres' video provides a peek into the opulent lifestyles of residents in Hong Kong's most exclusive residences, showcasing expansive living spaces and luxurious amenities. One notable instance featured a home on the 53rd floor, accessible in just 1 minute and 8 seconds, complete with two bedrooms and a kitchen.
His video poignantly highlights the considerable wealth disparity, underscoring how certain individuals revel in abundance while others grapple with financial adversity, despite residing in one of the most advanced cities in the world.
Malaysians Grateful For Their Living Conditions
As of now, the video has amassed over 615K views on Facebook. Upon perusing the comments section, numerous Malaysians expressed gratitude for their living conditions in Malaysia, emphasizing their relief at not having to endure the cramped quarters depicted in the coffin house.
Lowkey the coffin house does look like the Korean slums we saw at the beginning of the Parasite movie. 
Here&rsquo;s some of the comments:
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/03b5adb3e89f75c3a3e1906d5c498ae11112d3f28440bdd1468d0923db801c59" />
Coffin Homes Does Exist In Malaysia
While many of us enjoy affordable and comfortable accommodations, there are instances where individuals exploit the space they own or rent out, leading to the existence of tiny, coffin-like rooms available for rent in Malaysia.
<iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKPKTMalaysia%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02EHviNdYyjSqx1oVi9zPJxVfh3wbj9vtx6PMNunHoHYfz1As5PhfiLsLs3tJLYA9il&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
Previously the government took action against a two-story shop lot situated in Jalan Maluri, Kuala Lumpur, where a shocking discovery was made: up to 50 individuals were found residing in 38 cramped and inadequately ventilated rooms. These rooms rented out for a mere RM300 per month, were equipped with only one mattress, a charging plug, and a single light bulb. Moreover, they lacked essential fire safety measures and emergency lighting, putting the occupants at significant risk.
In all honesty, the perceived high cost of rental in Malaysia can be attributed to various factors, including the impact of inflation and the implementation of the new SST tax, which has led to increased prices of goods and services. While Malaysia doesn't have many cases of "coffin homes" like those seen in Hong Kong, they do exist, and it's imperative for government authorities to take decisive action to address these issues.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments. 
&nbsp;
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media &amp; various cross-references for context.
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Paying almost RM2K just for a mere 79 Sq. Ft space? No thanks. 

cdc762822f55a52736de851914dce61a7d087ce24eca59790035b4cb44d18b47

M’sian Shares Experience Of Living In Hong Kong’s Infamous Coffin Home

M’sian Shares Experience Of Living In Hong Kong’s Infamous Coffin Home

Paying almost RM2K just for a mere 79 Sq. Ft space? No thanks.

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