PETALING JAYA: For some young Malaysians, freelancing is a lifestyle choice.
For others, it has become the most practical option, as an increasingly tough job market and technological disruption reshape traditional career paths.
Despite this, many remain open to taking on permanent jobs if they align with their career goals and personal circumstances.
Muay Thai coach Haziq Azry Hasbullah, 28, chose self-employment because he wanted to build his own source of income and have the freedom to shape his career without being tied to office hours.
The Shah Alam-based entrepreneur said he spent the past two years working as a coach while also running several businesses, including selling cakes, reselling products and founding his own product brand.
He said self-employment offered the potential to earn more than a salaried job, although his income depended heavily on the number of customers and projects secured.
“The biggest challenges are managing your time, finances and marketing everything yourself,” he said.
Although he is willing to take up a conventional job if necessary, Haziq said it would only be temporary, as he ultimately preferred being his own boss.
For private tutor Faiznur Ain Ahmad Bakri, 35, flexibility was one of the main reasons she opted for freelancing, allowing her to structure her teaching schedule around personal commitments.
“I plan my own schedule and only take classes from Monday to Thursday, which gives me time for personal commitments, travel and medical appointments.
“If there are emergencies, I can discuss with my students and their parents to postpone and reschedule classes accordingly,” she said.
The Raub-based tutor, who holds a PhD in Science, said she is still applying for teaching positions at universities and schools while continuing to build her tutoring business.
Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya-based audio producer and engineer Shivaani Tarmothran, 30, said she took on a freelance position after graduating because it was difficult to secure a job in the post-pandemic market.
“The position I was offered was a freelance role and it was tough to land a job at that time, so I took the opportunity,” she said, adding that she had been freelancing for three years.
She said the flexibility also allowed her to explore different opportunities within the industry.
Unlike many freelancers who are paid on a project basis, Shivaani said she currently receives a monthly salary, providing greater financial stability.
“I used to be paid by project and that was pretty hectic because clients didn’t always pay on time. It was difficult to plan my finances then,” she said.
However, she said freelancing also came with trade-offs, particularly the lack of employment benefits and job security.
“As a freelancer, I have to contribute to my own EPF savings and arrange my own medical insurance,” she said, adding that she has to prepare for uncertainties such as her contract not being renewed.
For audio engineer Reuben Ravi, 28, taking on freelance work was not initially a choice but a necessity when job opportunities in his field were limited.
The Kuala Lumpur-based freelance contractor said he now receives a stable monthly income but does not enjoy the same benefits as permanent employees such as EPF and Socso coverage.
Reuben said his biggest concern was consistency and stability.
“I get anxious if I am unable to find new opportunities because competition is high and service rates are becoming cheaper than the usual market rate,” he said.
He added that the rise of the Internet and AI made specialised skills more accessible, increasing competition among workers.
