Why Are Malaysians Not Creating IoT Content on YouTube?

I was scrolling through my social media and came across an interesting observation—very few Malaysians create IoT tutorial content on YouTube. The majority of these tutorials come from India. Why is that?

So, I threw the question out there, hoping to spark some discussion. And wow, did people have opinions!

“Malaysia is Small Compared to India.”

One of the first responses I got was, “Malaysia is much smaller compared to India. If you compare us with our ASEAN neighbours, maybe it makes more sense.”

Okay, I get it. India has a massive population and a thriving tech ecosystem. But does that mean we just accept that we aren’t producing enough content? Shouldn’t our ambition go beyond just comparing ourselves with our neighbours?

“Sharing Knowledge Isn’t Our Culture.”

Another comment caught my attention: “India suka sharing knowledge kali.“

That hit me hard. Is it true that we don’t have a strong culture of sharing technical knowledge? I know plenty of Malaysian engineers and tech enthusiasts who are brilliant at what they do, but why aren’t they making educational content? Are we too protective of what we know? Are we afraid that sharing our expertise might somehow put us at a disadvantage?

One person even admitted, “Source code aku, aku yang susah-susah buat, aku punya, tak nak share dengan orang lain. Kongsi je lah.” That made me chuckle, but deep down, I felt a little sad. If we all think this way, how do we expect to build a community of learning?

“People Prefer Entertainment Over Education.”

Another perspective: “Expertise tak ramai compared to India + audience sukakan content hiburan compared to education.“

This one stings. It’s no secret that entertainment content dominates YouTube in Malaysia. Food reviews, travel vlogs, comedy skits—they all get millions of views. But educational content, such as IoT tutorials, barely gets any traction.

Does this mean Malaysians aren’t interested in learning tech? Or is it because no one is making content that makes tech exciting? Maybe we need to find a way to blend education with entertainment. After all, if a cooking channel can get millions of views, surely a well-presented IoT tutorial can capture some attention, right?

“Technology Isn’t in Our DNA.”

Then came a comment that really made me pause: “Sembang technology bukan budaya dalam masyarakat kita. Tengok industri filem saja lah. Teknologi dalam filem kita hanyalah fiksyen sains yang entah apa-apa. Cuma bezakan dengan filem Bollywood macam Three Idiots… Bapa kat kampung pun nak anaknya jadi engineer dan kerja di multinational kat Silicon Valley.“

Ouch.

I don’t want to believe this, but there’s some truth to it. In India, engineering and technology are deeply embedded in their aspirations. Parents push their kids towards STEM careers. In Malaysia, how many parents encourage their children to be engineers, developers, or IoT experts? Not many. And if we don’t nurture this mindset early, how can we expect a surge of local content creators in technical fields?

“Go Where the Grass is Greener.”

Then someone simply commented: “Go for greener grass.“

Is that the answer? Just abandon hope and move to a place where IoT content is more appreciated? I refuse to believe that. There’s potential here. There’s talent here. The problem is that we haven’t created a culture where sharing knowledge is normal, where technical education is valued, and where engineers feel motivated to teach others.

What’s the Solution?

I don’t want to just sit here and complain. I want to do something about it. So, here’s my plan:

1. Start Creating More IoT Content – If no one else is doing it, I’ll do it. I’ll make IoT tutorials, I’ll share what I know, and I’ll make it accessible to everyone.
2. Encourage More People to Share – If you’re an engineer, a tech enthusiast, or anyone with IoT knowledge, start sharing. Even if it’s a short video, a blog post, or a simple explainer—put it out there!
3. Make IoT Fun and Engaging – If entertainment dominates, let’s make IoT entertaining. Let’s present it in a way that captures attention and excites people.
4. Build a Community – Let’s create a space where Malaysians who are passionate about IoT can exchange ideas, support each other, and grow together.

I refuse to accept that Malaysia can’t be a hub for IoT education.

It starts with us, with sharing, and it starts today.