16-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
TikTok Shop, Tekun Nasional celebrate local entrepreneurs with Sabah carnival
KOTA BELUD: TikTok Shop marked the second year of its partnership with Tekun Nasional at the Karnival Tekun Madani, reinforcing its commitment to empower local entrepreneurs through digital transformation.
The carnival, held from May 15 to 17 at Dewan Kadamaian Square, held a range of digital-first activities aimed at promoting Sabah-made products and homegrown talents.
Among the key attractions were TikTok Shop's signature LIVE Studio, interactive LIVE Selling Kiosk, and game segments that drew strong interest from visitors.
DIGITAL SUPPORT FOR ENTREPRENEURS
One of the main highlights was the TikTok Shop x Tekun Nasional Award Ceremony, which celebrated 80 Sabahan entrepreneurs who completed the Promosi Perniagaan Online (POP) workshop series.
Five participants were recognised for their outstanding performance in applying digital tools to grow their businesses online.
In its bid to support the Malaysian government's efforts to grow the economy and reduce poverty, TikTok Shop continues to spotlight Sabahan creators and small businesses on its platform, offering greater online visibility.
This includes investments such as the TikTok Shop Live Hub in Penampang, a purpose-built studio launched on Feb 16 by Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick to help local sellers reduce costs and diversify their sales channels.
To date, more than 100 entrepreneurs have used the facility, producing over 600 hours of livestream content and boosting their reach and sales capabilities.
ENCOURAGING SUCCESS STORIES
The collaboration with Tekun Nasional has yielded strong results.
Through the #JomLokal campaign, traditional sellers in Sabah have seen over 200 per cent revenue growth, contributing to a seven-figure sales milestone.
Year–on-year, revenue in the state rose by 500 per cent. Since January, 80 entrepreneurs from Sabah have been mentored under the initiative, promoting a diverse range of locally produced items from agriculture and food to crafts, personal care and fashion.
Within just 60 days of the Live Hub's launch, Sabahan sellers recorded more than 8 million views and sold over 10,000 local products, underscoring growing interest from online audiences and the potential of digital platforms to boost rural entrepreneurship.
The Kota Belud event drew a highly-positive response from the local community, with strong turnout and participation.
TikTok Shop will continue this momentum in other regions, with Johor set to host the next Live Hub as part of ongoing efforts to equip local entrepreneurs with digital tools and training.
Those interested in digital entrepreneurship can learn more about #JomLokal at this website, and can also visit the ongoing Karnival Tekun Madani in Kota Belud until May 17.
