Zakaria Abdul Wahab, 71, rides through the streets of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, almost every day delivering food to provide for his family.
Zakaria, known among customers and fellow riders as Atok Grab (Grandpa Grab), joined the delivery platform during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 and has been working since, according to local news outlet Daily Metro.
He said he can complete up to 20 deliveries and earn more than RM100 (US$23) on good days.
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A Grab delivery driver in Malaysia. Photo courtesy of Grab |
“If I just stay home, it’s not possible. I have to work to support my child and wife, especially my eldest son who is 39 and suffered a stroke,” he said.
Zakaria said his eldest son had worked as a ride-hailing driver before falling ill nine months ago, and he is now trying to earn additional income to help cover his son’s treatment and recovery expenses.
In an interview with Grab Malaysia in 2025, Zakaria said he usually works from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. and occasionally takes short breaks between deliveries. He added that he no longer has the strength to work from morning until night and now limits his working hours.
71-year-old Grab driver Zakaria Abdul Wahab in Malaysia. Video from TikTok/@bangcidok
According to the New Straits TimesZakaria was previously involved in a road accident in which a 10-wheel lorry severely damaged his motorcycle. “I was lucky to survive. Now I only use an old motorbike,” he said.
He also encouraged younger people to stay open to different types of work. “Choose work that you enjoy but don’t just sit around without doing anything,” he said.
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