Side income is no longer a rare thing in Malaysia. Everyone knows someone driving Grab at night, renting out their old condo room, or making extra from TikTok. The good news is that you don’t need to start a full business. You can start small with what you already own — your car, your home, and your skills — and turn them into steady cash.
I’ve tested side hustles for years. I’ve done car-sharing, sold products through affiliate links, and even rented out my spare parking space. Some ideas worked better than others, and some were easier than I thought. Here’s what works best in Malaysia today.
🚙 Monetize Your Car — Earn While You Drive or Park
Your car sits idle more than you think. It can bring you income even when it’s not moving. Here’s how.
Become a Part-Time E-Hailing Driver
Platforms like Grab, AirAsia Ride, and inDriver give flexible schedules. You choose when to work and how many hours.
Peak hours are your best friend. I used to drive only during lunch hours and weekend nights. A 3-hour session could bring RM100 or more. Driving part-time is tiring, but it’s fast cash if you plan your time.
Tips:
- Focus on city areas like KL, PJ, Penang, or JB.
- Keep your acceptance rate high to get more bookings.
- Track petrol and tolls so you know your real profit.
Rent Out Your Car on Car-Sharing Platforms
If you don’t use your car daily, list it on Trevo or GoCar Share. You earn while your car sits in your porch.
I once rented my old Myvi on weekends. It brought RM300–RM400 a month without effort. The platforms handle insurance and user screening.
Safety tip: Always keep photos of your car condition before and after rentals.
Wrap Your Car with Ads
Platforms like MyBump Media and Rodeo pay you monthly for placing ads on your car.
This is completely passive. You drive as usual, and the brand pays you for exposure. Earnings range from RM200–RM800 monthly depending on brand and mileage.
🏡 Monetize Your House — Turn Space Into Income
A spare room, empty condo, or even a parking space can bring you steady income every month.
List a Spare Room or Home on Airbnb Malaysia
Airbnb is powerful if you live near city centres or tourist areas. Locations like KLCC, Bukit Bintang, Penang, and JB have high demand.
You don’t need a fancy house. I listed a simple studio in KL for RM120 per night. With only 10 nights booked each month, that’s RM1,200.
Quick tips:
- Take bright photos with your phone in daylight.
- Respond to bookings quickly to boost your listing rank.
- Offer small touches like bottled water or local snacks.
Offer Storage Space
Not everyone needs a place to stay. Some just need space to store things.
You can list your garage or spare room in Facebook groups or TheLorry’s storage listings. It’s simple: they store, they pay, and they come back later.
This works well in busy cities where storage costs are high.
Rent Out Parking Spaces
If your condo has an extra lot, rent it. Many office workers will pay RM150–RM300 monthly for a private space near their workplace.
I rented my extra parking spot near Mid Valley and earned RM250 a month — no effort involved.
🧑💼 Monetize Your Skills — Earn from What You Know
Your knowledge can be income. You don’t need a degree or company. You just need to know something valuable and package it well.
Freelance on Platforms
Sites like Workana, Fiverr, and Upwork accept Malaysians.
Popular gigs:
- Writing, editing, translating
- Logo design, social media design
- Tutoring English, BM, or math
I started with simple resume writing. My first RM50 job led to regular clients.
Tips:
- Make a clean portfolio with examples of your work.
- Reply fast to messages. Speed wins jobs.
Sell Courses or Host Workshops
If you can teach cooking, photography, or languages, run classes on Zoom or Skillshare.
A friend teaches Korean basics online and makes RM300 per class with 10 students. That’s RM3,000 from one weekend.
You can start with free Facebook Live sessions to build followers, then sell paid courses.
Offer Micro-Services
Micro-services are small, fast jobs you can complete in an hour or less.
Ideas include:
- Setting up Canva templates
- Creating TikTok captions
- Designing Instagram posts for small businesses
Charge RM30–RM100 per task. These gigs fit into your evenings or weekends.
💻 Top Affiliate Marketing Programs Malaysians Love
Affiliate marketing Malaysia income is the easiest way to earn without capital. You promote products or services using special links. When someone buys or signs up through your link, you earn a commission.
Here are the best affiliate marketing programs Malaysians love right now.
🥇 BK8 Casino Affiliate — Highest Earning Potential
BK8 is one of the biggest casino brands in Malaysia. Their affiliate program pays up to 40% revenue share monthly.
I tested BK8 affiliate links on a small Telegram group. Five signups brought RM700 in my first month. Their players have high lifetime value, so you keep earning long-term.
Why it works:
- Huge demand for online casinos in Malaysia
- Fast weekly payouts
- Easy setup, with local support
Focus on traffic sources like Telegram, WhatsApp groups, and niche websites targeting “online casino Malaysia.”
🥈 Shopee & Lazada Affiliate Programs — Perfect for Beginners
Everyone shops here. Shopee and Lazada have easy affiliate platforms with thousands of products to promote.
They work well on Instagram, TikTok, blogs, and Facebook groups. I used to post deals in my family WhatsApp group — people clicked and bought. It brought RM300 during the 11.11 sale.
Why it works:
- Easy to join
- High trust from Malaysian buyers
- Low barrier to entry
🥉 Toluna Malaysia — Simple Paid Surveys
Toluna pays you to answer surveys. You earn points that convert to cash or vouchers.
It’s not big money, but it’s consistent. Good for students or office workers during lunch breaks. Expect RM50–RM100 monthly if you answer regularly.
🏅 AliExpress Affiliate Program — Global Reach
AliExpress offers up to 50% commission on some categories.
It suits bloggers or TikTok creators with international followers. You’ll need time to grow traffic, but once it scales, it’s passive.
A friend runs a gadget blog and earns USD200+ monthly from AliExpress links.
📈 How to Combine Multiple Side Income Streams
Don’t stop at one income stream. Mix active and passive ones to balance your time.
For example:
- Drive Grab on weekends (active)
- Rent your parking space (passive)
- Run BK8 affiliate links on your Telegram channel (passive)
This way, you get fast money now and build long-term income quietly in the background.
📝 Tips to Succeed with Side Income in Malaysia
- Set a clear schedule. Avoid burnout.
- Use a separate bank account for side income.
- Track earnings and declare them during tax season.
- Always follow local laws and platform rules, especially with BK8 affiliate work.
- Focus on one method at first, then expand.
✅ Conclusion — Start Monetizing What You Already Have
Side income isn’t about working nonstop. It’s about turning idle assets and free hours into cash.
Your car can drive people or carry ads. Your house can host guests or store items. Your skills can solve problems for others. Even your phone can earn commissions from affiliate links while you sleep.
Start with one method. Test, learn, and scale what works. Small consistent steps can change your finances faster than you think.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
