What is the best side hustle in Malaysia for working adults?

One that fits around your job, needs little money to start, and builds up over time: freelancing, blogging and affiliate short videos are good examples. Starting from a skill or interest you already have makes it easiest to keep going.

Can I start a side hustle in Malaysia without special skills?

Yes. Some side hustles let you learn as you go, such as food delivery or Shopee affiliate videos. For affiliate videos, the main skill is choosing good products; AI can take care of filming and editing.

Do I need followers to earn as a Shopee affiliate?

You can start with the account you have, then watch views, clicks and orders and adjust from there. For eligibility, Shopee Malaysia asks that your channels are publicly accessible, and on Facebook it accepts a fan page rather than a personal profile; check Shopee's current rules before you apply.

Will a side hustle affect my full-time job?

Choosing one with a flexible schedule makes it easy to fit in after work or at weekends. It is also worth checking your employer's policy on outside work before you start.

Measured 2026-10-31 · 7 min read

Side Hustle Malaysia 2026: 9 Ideas Compared, and Where Shopee Affiliate Videos Fit

By Edward ChuSocial Traffic & Group-Buy Expert

Key points

Choose a side hustle by three things: what you can already do, when you are free, and whether your work builds up. Nine common options are compared in one table below.
Every side hustle suits someone: freelancing suits people with a professional skill, blogging and social selling suit people who love to share, and delivery and short videos suit people who want a flexible schedule.
Shopee affiliate videos are a fresh option: no stock, no face on camera, AI handles the filming and editing, and every video is another chance to earn.

What are the best side hustles in Malaysia in 2026?

There are many ways to earn on the side, and each needs different skills, a different start and a different schedule. Here are nine common ones side by side:

Side hustle	Skills	What you need to start	Schedule	What builds up
Food delivery, e-hailing	Knowing your area	A vehicle and a platform account	Pick your own hours	Paid per trip, in step with the trips you do
Tutoring	A subject you know well	Materials and your first students	Agreed with each student	Word of mouth brings more students
Freelancing (design, writing, translation)	A professional skill	A portfolio	Set by each project	Your portfolio and repeat clients
Your own online shop	Sourcing and running a store	Stock, packing and shipping	Regular time for orders	Shop ratings and repeat buyers
Social selling (WhatsApp, Facebook groups)	Building a community	Friends who trust your picks	You choose when to sell	Your community's trust
Blogging	Writing	A website	Very flexible	Articles keep being found in search
YouTube, podcasts	Planning, filming or recording	Equipment	Very flexible	Content and subscribers
Handmade goods, bazaar stalls	A craft	Materials and a stall	Follows the bazaar calendar	Regular customers
Shopee affiliate short videos	Choosing products	A phone and a Shopee account	Very flexible	Every video stays a chance to earn

VeloFlow, summarised from how each side hustle usually works, October 2026

If what matters most to you is work that keeps paying off after it is done, read Side Hustle Philippines 2026 for how affiliate videos come closest to passive income.

How do you choose the right side hustle for you?

Four questions narrow it down quickly:

What can I already do? A professional skill points to freelancing or tutoring; if you are still exploring, pick something you can learn as you go.
What can I put in? Some side hustles need equipment or stock first; others start with just a phone.
When am I free? If it is evenings and weekends, choose something you can schedule yourself.
Does my work build up? Articles, videos and a portfolio keep bringing you opportunities long after you made them.

Why are Shopee affiliate videos a good side hustle in Malaysia?

They answer all four questions well:

No special skills: the key is choosing products; AI can make the video.
A light start: no stock, no shipping and no shop to run. The seller and Shopee take care of the product and the customer.
Your own schedule: pick products and post whenever suits you, including after work.
Your work builds up: every video you post can keep being seen and keep bringing in orders.

New to affiliate links? Start with Affiliate Marketing Malaysia: A Beginner's Guide.

How does Shopee Malaysia pay affiliate commission?

	What Shopee Malaysia says
What earns commission	A completed purchase made by a buyer who reached Shopee through your affiliate link
Your channels	Must be publicly accessible; on Facebook, a fan page rather than a personal profile
Payout	Added to your balance monthly, paid monthly once it reaches RM50

Shopee Malaysia, Shopee Affiliate Program Terms and Conditions (last updated 27 August 2026, read 2026-10-10)

Commission rates depend on the category and current campaigns; your affiliate dashboard shows each product's rate.

How can AI help you keep up with short videos?

The part of affiliate video that takes the most time is making good videos regularly: filming, finding a presenter, editing, adding captions. VeloFlow is not offered in Malaysia yet; in the markets it serves (Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines), it takes that work over in one app:

Pick: the daily Selection Radar suggests products with good commission and sales.
Generate: choose a product and tap once for an AI product video. No filming, no models, no prompts.
Post: finished videos are uploaded to Shopee Video.
Track: see the clicks and orders each video brings, and spend your time on the products that earn.

VeloFlow has produced over 3 million AI product videos and helped drive over a million items sold. To compare it with other tools, read AI Video Generator Comparison 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best side hustle in Malaysia for working adults?: One that fits around your job, needs little money to start, and builds up over time: freelancing, blogging and affiliate short videos are good examples. Starting from a skill or interest you already have makes it easiest to keep going.
Can I start a side hustle in Malaysia without special skills?: Yes. Some side hustles let you learn as you go, such as food delivery or Shopee affiliate videos. For affiliate videos, the main skill is choosing good products; AI can take care of filming and editing.
How does Shopee Malaysia pay affiliate commission?: According to Shopee Malaysia's terms, commission comes from completed purchases made through your affiliate link. It is added to your account balance monthly and paid monthly once the balance reaches RM50.
Do I need followers to earn as a Shopee affiliate?: You can start with the account you have, then watch views, clicks and orders and adjust from there. For eligibility, Shopee Malaysia asks that your channels are publicly accessible, and on Facebook it accepts a fan page rather than a personal profile; check Shopee's current rules before you apply.
Will a side hustle affect my full-time job?: Choosing one with a flexible schedule makes it easy to fit in after work or at weekends. It is also worth checking your employer's policy on outside work before you start.

Sources

Shopee Malaysia Help Centre, "Shopee Affiliate Program Terms and Conditions" (last updated 27 August 2026, read 2026-10-10): completed purchases, affiliate media, monthly payout and the RM50 minimum. Rules change; the help centre and your affiliate dashboard are authoritative.
Side hustle comparison: summarised from how each side hustle usually works, October 2026.
AI product videos: VeloFlow company figures, covering the VeloFlow platform, other production systems and business partners: over 3 million since late May 2026, counted October 2026.
Items sold: VeloFlow company figures, covering the VeloFlow platform and business partners: over a million items, counted October 2026.