Yes you can own a CC even if you don' contribute to EPF as long as you can proof your annual income e.g. Income Tax forms. Or alternatively, go to the first page of this thread, you can also get a CC by depositing a certain sum into banks.

Then submit 3 months of payslip.

That is the one of incoming proving document beside IC.

Alternatively, you can use others:

1. EPF statement
2. J form
3. Employment/Offer letter (fresh graduate)
4. Existing CC (age is more than 1 year)

Yes,  he will be able to apply , but chances are slim if this is his first CC , as usual , most convincing document to apply for CC is to provide EPF statement , Tax return form altogether with 3 months salary slips. Those combination should be able to pass thru all checkpoint from bank to issue the CC provided one did not have any CCRIS record for any default payment.
Should go for AMbank , CIMB , EON or MBF for first timer as its easier to get it approved 

IF can provide the EPF statement is the best, but IF without the EPF , one should be able to apply as well but those bank i mention above is more lenient and not as strict as some bank like MBB , HSBC etc... so you can ask your friend to try his luck on those bank stated above.