Some Malaysians are growing increasingly concerned as more expatriates and international influencers flock to Malaysia and share posts on social media about the low cost of living, which they often praise as an affordable alternative to their home countries.
Many locals fear these portrayals of a lavish, budget-friendly lifestyle could exacerbate the growing economic anxiety among the local population.
‘Don’t want KL to become Bali or Bangkok’
The issue was raised by a woman on Threads, where she expressed frustration over how foreigners promote Malaysia’s affordable living costs as “cheap”.
She pointed out that these comments, often made in light of the currency exchange advantages that expatriates enjoy, disregard the struggles faced by locals living with low wages and high living costs.

I don’t want Kuala Lumpur to become the next Bali or Bangkok, where locals work tirelessly but still find it hard to make ends meet,” she wrote.
She added that she was particularly annoyed by posts from foreigners praising how cheap Grab fares and other services were.
She highlighted the stark disparity between the wages of locals and the disposable income that expatriates benefit from due to favorable exchange rates.
“Locals are facing tremendous financial strain, with many unable to afford basic needs like housing. Yet, expats are boasting about how affordable it is to live here in Kuala Lumpur. It’s mind-boggling,” she shared.
Netizens’ comment
The topic quickly sparked debate online, with many Malaysians expressing concern that the influx of foreigners and influencers promoting luxury lifestyles on social media could intensify the pressure felt by the local population.




