By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, March 6: For Awang Mohd Azizul, his prized Perodua Kelisa is not just a car—it is his ‘first wife’.
The 42-year-old car enthusiast treats his meticulously modified vehicle with unwavering devotion, ensuring it stays in pristine condition at all times.
“I take care of it like taking care of a wife. It’s my first wife. My real wife is the second,” he joked.
Shielded from rain and maintained with professional detailing, Azizul’s Perodua Kelisa-turned-Daihatsu Mira Gino replica is pampered with the utmost care.
Every scratch is avoided, every inch polished to perfection, with Ohana Car Coating Specialist handling the detailing, Lucky Garage entrusted with the spray work, and ApiQ Garage taking care of the engine work.
At the recent Fast Culture 25 “Underground” event held at Sarawak Plaza, Azizul shared their love story in an interview with DayakDaily.
Azizul’s love affair with his car began in March 2024 when he purchased the Kelisa. Originally green, he quickly transformed it with a striking pink finish, drawing inspiration from vintage automotive aesthetics.
With no prior experience in car modification, he learned from friends in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, diving deep into sourcing rare parts to perfect his vision.
“Having a car as it is wasn’t impressive enough for me. That’s why I started looking for vintage parts and modifying it to stand out,” he shared.
His dedication has not gone unnoticed. The modified Kelisa has participated in four auto shows to date, including the most recent one – ‘Cat City Car Culture Event’ at Eco Mall Petra Jaya, Kuching, on Feb 16, 2025.
Other events included the Cat City K-Car Day Autoshow Gathering 2024 at Crown Square Kuching, Apocalypse Auto Show Vol. 2 at CityOne Megamall, as well as the Autocult 2024 event at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
Azizul’s car has also earned prestigious accolades, including the ‘Best of the Best’ award in the K-Car category several times.
Azizul sources his parts mainly from Kuala Lumpur and local collectors, acquiring rare components that make his car truly unique. Some of these parts, he noted, are so rare they seem “tak masuk akal” (unbelievable) to find.
Azizul is actually a fitness trainer and a bodybuilding athlete who has carved a name for himself in the competitive bodybuilding scene since his debut in 2011, earning multiple titles on both national and international stages.
He was the Mr Asia Korea 2017 2nd Runner-up and competed at the Mr World Mongolia 2017. He secured the Mr BBS Champion title in both 2015 and 2017, and won Mr Benak in 2013 and 2016. His international success includes being the 3rd Runner-up at Mr Asia Bhutan 2016 and Mr World Thailand 2015.
At the national level, Azizul dominated Mr Malaysia 2015, winning both the Champion and Champion of Champions titles. He was also a Mr Sarawak Champion from 2011 to 2015 and secured the Champion of Champions title in 2014 and 2015.
Despite his commitment to bodybuilding and personal training, Azizul finds time to indulge in his passion for cars.
His home garage currently holds another vehicle undergoing modifications, a testament to his continuous pursuit of automotive perfection.
Azizul’s dedication extends beyond just the vehicle itself; he even adds external props, such as mannequins, to complement the car’s aesthetic. His wife, a pillar of support, helps ensure even the mannequins’ attire meets the high standards he sets for his car’s presentation.
Among the most memorable moments in his journey was a trip to Kuala Lumpur just to collect a car grille in person.
“The seller was afraid to ship it because of potential damage, so I had to fly there myself to bring it back,” he recalled.
Although the car is primarily a showpiece, it remains roadworthy thanks to its turbo engine.
“I do take it out sometimes, but after a drive, I cover it up again,” he said.
With an unwavering passion and a supportive family, Azizul continues to push boundaries in the car modification scene, proving that dedication and creativity can turn any vehicle into a masterpiece. – DayakDaily
