After 2022 flood loss, businesswoman wraps car in plastic to avoid damage
Critics and supporters react to Chefiza’s flood damage prevention tactic
SHAH ALAM - As the monsoon season approaches in Malaysia, individuals are taking various precautions to protect their property from flooding, particularly in areas more prone to inundation.
For Chefiza Zulkifli, the founder of clothing line By Chefiza, her approach involved wrapping her Mercedes Benz with heavy-duty plastic to prevent floodwaters from damaging the vehicle.
Chefiza’s decision came after a painful lesson in 2022, when floodwaters damaged her Porsche.
Reflecting on the costly repairs she had to undergo, she opted for a more proactive strategy this year.
In a video posted on her Instagram, Chefiza demonstrated how she wrapped her car, a method that drew both curiosity and criticism from her neighbours.
In her Instagram caption, she shared her reasoning: "Learning from past experiences. In 2022, the Porsche was submerged in a flood. It was a really painful experience. People who haven’t gone through it and don’t understand our struggle just laugh when they see us wrapping our car like this.
"The method doesn’t matter; what’s important is that we make an effort. Alhamdulillah, this white car was saved from floodwater. Saved money this year without needing repairs. It’s okay to spend a bit on heavy-duty plastic like this rather than having to bear huge repair costs from flood damage."
While many of her followers praised her for taking preventive action, others expressed concerns about the possibility of mold growth due to the moisture trapped under the plastic.
Some critics also took issue with Chefiza’s approach, pointing out that a person who could afford a luxury car like a Porsche might not need to worry about such damages, thus implying an insensitivity towards those facing more severe hardships during floods.
@adawiyahomar said, "Even if I look foolish, as long as we make an effort... it's better than doing nothing. These days, no matter where you are, you have to be prepared because floods can happen suddenly."
Despite the mixed reactions, Chefiza’s strategy proved successful.
She later updated her followers, confirming that the plastic had protected her car from water damage, and reiterated that her goal was to learn from the previous experience and avoid costly repairs.
