Many Malaysians talk about side income. Few actually show you how to do it. In this guide, I’m going to break down the exact platforms that everyday Malaysians use to make money online—with zero or very little upfront cost.
This isn’t theory. I’ve tested these myself, and so have friends, students, and clients. If you can commit 30 minutes a day, you can make real income.
Why Side Income Matters in Malaysia Now
Petrol naik. Groceries naik. Gaji tak naik.
Everyone’s feeling the pinch. Side income is no longer a “bonus”—it’s becoming necessary. But the good news? You don’t need to start a big business. You just need to pick the right platform and start small.
Many Malaysians already make RM500 to RM2,000/month online—quietly. But they don’t share it publicly, because they don’t want more competition.
I’ll share the top three side income programs that actually work here in Malaysia. These aren’t get-rich schemes. They’re real platforms with real payouts.
Top 3 Online Income Platforms Malaysians Don’t Talk About
These are sorted based on income potential, ease of use, and how fast you can get paid.
#1 – BK8 Casino Affiliate Program (Best for Passive Monthly Commission)
Most Malaysians won’t talk about this one publicly. But those who know… know. BK8 is a legal, licensed casino brand in Southeast Asia. BK8 affiliate program lets you earn a share of what players spend—every week.
How It Works
You promote BK8 using a unique link. When someone signs up and deposits, you earn a cut for life. This is called lifetime revenue share. BK8 pays up to 45%.
Why It Pays Well
- Malaysians already play on BK8. You don’t need to explain much.
- Players tend to deposit and re-deposit. That means recurring income.
- Weekly payouts in MYR or crypto.
What You Need
- BK8 Affiliate account (free)
- A Telegram group, TikTok channel, or just a friend network
- Basic content: memes, betting tips, promos
My Personal Story
I once tested this with just one Telegram group. I posted one football prediction and included my affiliate link. By the end of the week, I earned RM180. That player kept playing. Three months later, I was still getting paid RM80–RM100/week—without doing anything else.
Who Should Try This
- Anyone who already chats about football or gambling in WhatsApp or Telegram groups
- Anyone with a Facebook page, Instagram, or niche blog
#2 – Shopee or Lazada Affiliate Program (Best for Beginners)
If you like online shopping, this is a perfect side hustle. You don’t need to sell anything. You just recommend products. When someone buys through your link, you get a cut.
How It Works
You sign up as an affiliate. Pick a product. Create a short post or video. Share your affiliate link. When people buy, you earn commission.
Commission Rates
- Shopee: Up to 14%
- Lazada: Up to 10%
Best Places to Share Links
- TikTok product reviews
- Facebook Stories
- WhatsApp Status
- Blog or website
- Instagram posts
What You Need
- Free account on Shopee or Lazada affiliate platform
- Free Canva account to design simple posts
- Time to post 3–4 times a week
Real-Life Example
One of my coaching students, Liyana, is a mom of two. She started posting TikTok videos reviewing household items she already uses. Simple stuff: rice cooker, baby food steamer, detergent. Within 2 months, she was earning RM600–RM900 a month—just from people clicking her Shopee links.
#3 – Toluna Influencers Malaysia (Best for Earning from Surveys)
Toluna Malaysia pays you to answer surveys. That’s it. No sales, no affiliate links, no videos. Just simple Q&A.
How It Works
You sign up. You fill out surveys about your habits, opinions, or preferences. You earn points for every completed survey. You can redeem these for cash, Grab vouchers, or reloads.
Payout Estimate
- RM2–RM10 per survey
- RM20–RM30/hour if you qualify for higher-paying ones
How to Maximize Earnings
- Complete your profile fully. This gives you access to better-paying surveys.
- Check in daily for new surveys.
- Refer friends. You get points when they join and participate.
Pro Tip
Don’t fake answers. If your answers don’t match your profile, you’ll get disqualified. Be honest, even if the survey seems long.
Best For:
- Students
- Housewives
- Retirees
- Anyone with extra 30–60 minutes per day
How to Combine All Three for Multiple Income Streams
Want to earn from multiple platforms? You can combine them without burnout. Here’s how:
Combo 1: BK8 + Shopee
Use TikTok or Telegram to post football tips and product reviews. Alternate between the two. One video drives traffic to BK8. Another drives traffic to Shopee.
Combo 2: Lazada + Toluna
Do Toluna surveys in the morning or at night. Post one Lazada deal every 2 days on social media. Keep it simple. Use trending or seasonal products.
My Weekly Breakdown:
- Monday–Friday: 1 post on TikTok (Shopee or BK8)
- Saturday–Sunday: 1 hour Toluna surveys + 1 affiliate post
It’s not about doing everything every day. It’s about being consistent.
Where Malaysians Actually Promote Their Links (Quietly)
Here are platforms most Malaysians use to earn quietly, without ads:
Telegram Groups
Create niche channels (e.g. “Duit Lebih Sports Tips”). Post promos and links. No need for a big following—just active ones.
TikTok
Use trending sounds. Show real products or use voiceover. End video with a caption: “Link in bio.”
WhatsApp Status
Most people ignore this—but it works. Share one Shopee deal per week. Add a sticker or short caption like “Best deal I found today.”
Facebook Groups
Join local shopping groups. Share Lazada product reviews or ask questions like “Anyone tried this? Here’s my link.”
Tips to Stay Consistent Without Feeling Burnt Out
- Block 30 minutes daily to do your side hustle. Don’t skip.
- Create content in bulk on Sunday. Schedule it throughout the week.
- Don’t chase perfection. Just post consistently.
You don’t need fancy tools. Most of my early affiliate wins came from posting screenshots, using free Canva templates, and resharing TikTok trends.
What to Avoid
Let’s keep it real. Not everything online is safe or worth your time. Avoid these:
- “Top up first to earn later” scams
- Platforms without company info or clear payout terms
- Paying RM100+ to join a program with no track record
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Final Thoughts: Start Small, Stay Real
You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need thousands of followers. You just need to start.
Try one platform. Focus for 30 days. Track your results. Then stack another stream. That’s how I grew from RM0 to RM2,000+ per month—one step at a time.
Remember, side income doesn’t mean side stress. Keep it simple. Keep it consistent. And don’t be afraid to try.
