Malaysia is the most difficult place to get approval. Much easier to get approved within 3 weeks in Vietnam, Indonesia, Manilla. Cambodia and Laos are good but can take 4-6 weeks
Sponsorship approval varies among embassies. Some only accept employer sponsorship. Probably easier for your father to "lend" you the 500k for the application and apply yourself as you have a remote job.
Yes, there have been approvals with new jobs. Where are you applying? I got my DTV from Taipei they would not accept a new job I had as they wanted to see payments in bank accounts. I would avoid applying there. Many other places will be fine