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Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Location doesn't matter anymore: TikTok Exec
Published on: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 16, 2025 By: Jessie Lee Text Size: Alan Chan, TikTok Asia-Pacific Managing Director, who previously led regional expansion for Alibaba and Lazada, shared his insights recently at Jesselton Quay Sky Gallery. Kota Kinabalu: Imagine launching a business, not in a mall, not on a high-traffic street, but in a quiet spot where walk-ins are rare. To most, that would sound like a mistake, but not to Alan Chan. The TikTok Asia-Pacific Managing Director who previously led regional expansion for Alibaba and Lazada shared his insights recently at Jesselton Quay Sky Gallery, here. Advertisement Through real-world lessons from his time in the digital trench, he made one thing clear – the way people discover businesses has changed. 'When I first went to China in 2010, Taobao was already the biggest app. And you know what is crazy? If you look at their homepage today, it is almost the same,' he said. China's largest online marketplace, he explained, has kept its interface largely unchanged despite a decade of digital innovation. This reflects what Alan calls a 'lean forward experience', where users are actively searching to shop. But platforms like TikTok are different as they represent a 'lean back experience', one where discovery happens while users are relaxing. He gave a personal example of buying a karaoke machine during a 20-minute ride home, after watching a TikTok livestream. 'I had no intention of buying one. But by the time I got home, I had already placed the order,' he said. The host sang live, answered questions in real time and showed how the machine worked with old TVs, enough to convert him from viewer to buyer. 'On TikTok, it is very vibrant, because you can see a lot of entrepreneurs. 'They can be students, homemakers or part-timers, but important to note here is that you need to pay to use them,' he said. Beyond its creator ecosystem, Alan said TikTok's monetisation model demands a shift in mindset. 'If you sell a bottle for RM100, the platform takes RM25,' he said, explaining that instead of spending big upfront, sellers only pay as sales come in. 'In the old way, you start a new brand, you spend RM1 million on advertising, outdoor, absolutely. But nowadays, you can plan it with your margin. So as you sell, you burn up. It is a different way of doing business,' he said. For sellers, the next step is choosing how to drive that discovery. Alan compared livestreaming and short videos as core sales tools. 'Livestreams are high-converting, like 'lunch and dinner', but require more effort. The golden hour is 8pm to 10pm, that is when people buy,' he said. He said short videos, on the other hand, are like 'snacks', easier to scale and continue to perform over time, but both are important. Another key sales feature is TikTok's 'yellow bag', a shopping cart icon that lets users check out directly inside the app. 'On other platforms, you click out, copy links, message sellers, it is slower. 'On TikTok, conversion happens inside the content,' he said, adding that while these in-app tools boost speed, external chats add value to customer relationship management. Yet even with the right tools, for many businesses, content creation is a balancing act of cost, speed and ownership. '[Sometimes], you only pay the rent, but the land is not yours,' Alan said, referring to how some may pay for videos they do not fully own when working with external creators, at times facing the risk of sample loss. He shared how sellers in China are turning to AI as one shoot can generate dozens of videos with different selling points, targeting different buyers with the same video. During the Q&A session, Alan encouraged local businesses to position themselves on platforms like Douyin and Meituan which travellers often consult before even booking their flights. 'If your customers are coming from China, advertise where they are, before they even leave,' he said. For Alan, success comes down to platform strategy and execution, not just location. With the right content, visibility and mindset, he believes location is no longer the barrier it once was. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Water, energy issues: Petra Squad visits five key sites
Published on: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 16, 2025 Text Size: Fadillah (centre being briefed about the water problem in UMS. Kota Kinabalu: Water supply issues, affecting students at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), have drawn the attention of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra), with the university becoming the first location visited under the Petra Squad's initiative to assess water and energy challenges in Sabah on Monday. The on-ground assessment, aimed at gathering direct feedback, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister. Advertisement He was accompanied by his deputy, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir and Petra Secretary-General Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli, with the visit taking place from 11am to 5pm. In addition to UMS, the survey covered four other key locations: the Sungai Damai Basin 8 Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) in Likas; the Kota Kinabalu Main Inlet Substation in Tanjung Aru; Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to review a rooftop solar installation; and the Putatan Phase I Sewerage Scheme project in Putatan. At UMS, Fadillah said the Federal Government is committed to assisting the university in addressing frequent water disruptions, through a short-term intervention plan valued at RM1 million. The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the Sabah Water Department, Petra and UMS. The plan is expected to benefit more than 3,000 students, particularly those residing at the Tun Mustapha and Tun Fuad Residential Colleges, which are among the most affected by water supply interruptions. 'This will involve the construction of a dedicated distribution channel to connect to UMS' existing groundwater source, the addition of an underground water tank with a capacity of 0.13 million litres and the installation of automated valve controls,' he said. Also present during the UMS visit were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and UMS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor. At the Sungai Damai Basin 8 RTB, Fadillah said RM48 million in development funding has been allocated for the flood mitigation project, which commenced in September 2023 and has reached 54 per cent physical completion. The project includes upgrading the drainage system, constructing pump houses, road culverts and flood control gates. Upon completion, expected in July 2026, it is projected to protect around 17,500 residents from flood risks. The visit continued at the Kota Kinabalu Main Inlet Substation, with the handover of seven energy sector projects in Sabah and Labuan. These projects, implemented by the Sabah Electricity Supply Special Project Team (SESST), involve a total allocation of over RM260 million. A total of 60,434 consumers in Sabah and Labuan will benefit from improved electricity services through infrastructure upgrades, including substation enhancements, new grid connections and safety systems in Sipitang, Beaufort, Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Ranau and Sandakan, as well as Labuan. Meanwhile, at KKIA, a rooftop solar installation, under the Solar for Self-Consumption initiative, comprises 8,400 photovoltaic panels across three buildings. Now regulated by the Sabah Energy Commission, the system is expected to generate 5,325.7 MWh of clean energy annually and reduce carbon emissions by 4,046 metric tonnes, in line with Malaysia's target of a 70 per cent renewable energy mix and broader ESG commitments. Fadillah and the Petra Squad concluded their inspection with a visit to the Putatan Sewerage Scheme Phase I project. The RM134 million initiative, which began in December 2020, has reached 69.85 per cent completion, and is expected to be fully completed by March 2026. The project aims to improve the sewerage infrastructure in the Putatan catchment area, offering significant benefits for public health, environmental sustainability, and the overall development of essential infrastructure in the district. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Generating income with new, creative recipes
Participants taking part in the 'Resepi Jadi Rezeki' one-day CSR event at PPR Seri Alam in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star A dish called 'Marry Me Chicken Chop', created by housewife and mother-of-two Siti Hajar Abdul Latif, caught the judges' attention in a cooking competition. Consisting of a grilled deboned chicken thigh that had been marinated with spices and coated with Kimball Keju-Nara pasta sauce, it was garnished with halved cherry tomatoes and served with a side salad of shredded cabbage and carrots. Siti Hajar's creative name for her dish was one of the factors that helped her clinch the third prize of RM1,000 at the 'Resepi Jadi Rezeki' event, a corporate social responsibility exercise to empower B40 women by Suria FM radio station − which is under Star Media Group − and Kimball Malaysia. The goal of the one-day workshop at Seri Alam People's Housing Project (PPR) in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, was to teach participants how to come up with different kinds of dishes that could help them generate income via the food business. The participants of about 20 were mostly housewives and working mothers who are residents of the PPR. Livening up the occasion was celebrity chef Muhammad Fikree Najib Aznan, who is better known as 'Chef Fikrie', and Suria FM announcer Nor Shafiza Iskandar Azizan who goes by the moniker 'Cik Piah'. Participants were first given a demonstration by Chef Fikrie on how to cook two dishes – lemongrass chicken chop and spaghetti in a cheesy sauce as well as sweet and sour fish fillets. According to Chef Fikrie, both these dishes have commercial viability, with the former, which makes use of Kimball's line of sauces, Ayam-Nara and Keju-Nara, selling for up to RM15 a plate. One of the participants was retiree Koh Kwang Sin, who used to operate a vegetarian stall at a food court for 30 years. Her signature dish then was tomato egg and she said that Kimball's tomato sauce was always her brand of choice in the ingredients list. Koh, a mother of four and grandmother of seven, loves cooking for her family. She had heard about the event from friends who encouraged her to take part. 'I hope to learn more new recipes to cook for my family. 'Good food always brings them together,' she said. A cooking competition was held after lunch where participants were required to cook, plate and garnish one dish each within an hour. The first prize of RM3,000 was won by housewife Syura Zolkeplee, with her entry Spaghetti Kimball Johor. Syura, who has two children, said she would be using part of her prize money to renew her road tax. The second prize of RM2,000 was won by mother-of-four Masni Adnan, a mixed-rice seller, with her entry of tomato soup pasta. In addition to creativity, taste, texture and aroma, the dishes were also judged on nutritional value and hygiene. The children present at the event were treated to games and other activities. Also in attendance were Kimball Malaysia brand manager Chloe Lim and PPR Seri Alam Fasa 2 Residents Association secretary Mad Azmi Sulaiman. The next 'Resepi Jadi Rezeki' events will take place at Desa Rejang Public Housing (PA) in Setapak Jaya on July 19 and PPR Bukit Jalil, both in Kuala Lumpur, on July 26. The event is open to female Malaysians over 18 years old, preferably those residing at these people's housing projects. Visit Suria FM social media pages for entry forms.
The Star
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Retro picnic displays steal the show at Ipoh carnival
Ibrahim's winning picnic set-up at DR Seenivasagam Recreational Park. Ipoh City's 37th Anniversary Carnival drew crowds to DR Seenivasagam Recreational Park where a retro picnic set-up decoration contest was a highlight. Participants went all out to impress, showcasing unique collections and creative displays. Mohd Sazali Samsuri, a participant with a passion for antiques, saw the retro theme as a perfect fit for his hobby. 'I have items like an old bicycle from the Japanese Occupation era, a British-era helmet, congkak, wooden coconut grater, radio and fire extinguisher,' he said when met during the opening of the carnival by Ipoh mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah. 'I had people stopping by and asking about these things, as they were curious. Ibrahim says he rented a classic suitcase for his picnic display. 'Some didn't even know what these items were used for, so it's a good opportunity for people to learn. 'Also, this can help showcase our culture too,' he added. Wedding planner Ibrahim Othman, who secured first place and a RM1,000 cash prize, had rented a classic suitcase from his friends for his picnic set-up in the competition. 'I was looking for antique items with a picnic theme and I got the idea for the suitcase. 'I wanted to incorporate both Malay and English retro style and the suitcase was the perfect centrepiece. 'We added flowers to give it a touch of English charm too,' said Ibrahim. Housewife Rofiah Rajiei joined the competition after learning about it online. 'I see this as a relaxing and stress-free environment for everyone. 'I decorated my spot with retro and English elements, including vintage radio, vinyl records and ukulele,' she said. 'Hopefully, when people see my set-up, it may inspire them with ideas for their own picnics,' Rofiah added. Apart from the picnic contest, other activities at the carnival included a cooking competition, barista latte art competition, sepak raga ratus tournament, pop-up markets as well as Jualan Rahmah sales. Student Muhd Danaiel Hamka said the event was an eye- opening experience. 'I saw antique items I have never come across before. 'I hope more events like this will be held in the future as they can help younger generations better understand the items used by our elders,' he added.
New Paper
6 hours ago
- Sport
- New Paper
Big Union has first Malaysian win in sight
While all eyes out there may be locked on the prestigious Selangor Mile - the highlight race at Sungai Besi on July 20 - there are other good races on the undercard that have good winning chances too. Some of the the frisky four-year-olds involved in the RM1 million (S$235,000) race over 1,600m were put through their paces on the training track, but none seemed to be willing to give away much in terms of form. First, there was the highest-rated Antipodean - sitting on 103 points - from the field of 17. The son of Derryn - who was just transferred back to Simon Dunderdale's yard after six starts with Tiang Kim Choi - had an easy dash over the 600m, which he covered in 40sec. He is at the top of his game. Valois, another one from Dunderdale's yard, breezed over the 600m in 41sec. Trained by Lawson Moy, Eruption went a tad faster, stopping the clock at 39.2sec, which left the Richard Lines-trained Kim Emperor to top the time sheet with a fluent 38.7sec gallop. Other than the "stars" in the Selangor Mile making their appearances, racers on the undercard also tossed in good gallops on a track rated good. Top of the pops was Big Union. He, who will see action in the Selangor Silver - an open race over 1,300m for four-year-olds - turned in a respectable 38.8sec for his romp over the 600m. Never further than fifth in his last seven runs in Kuala Lumpur, Big Union has a good chance of claiming his first Malaysian win. A five-time winner at Kranji - all with jockey Bernardo Pinheiro - Big Union will have the service of the visiting Brazilian hoop again this time, and trainer Jerome Tan will be looking for a top showing from this son of Zoustar. From trainer Richard Lim's camp, Southern Speed turned in a smart gallop, running the 600m in 37.8sec. The I Am Invincible seven-year-old will line up in the Class 4B sprint (1,200m), and he will come into Sunday's action on the back of an impressive last-start win in a Class 5A race (1,400m) on June 29. That day, Southern Speed led from barrier to box. It was a fighting win and he eventually held off Spieth Heroine by a head. The drop back in trip should suit Southern Speed better as he has, in 51 starts, won three races over the shorter 1,200m. He is up in grade but the five-time winner has, in the past, dealt with Class 4 rivals and still come out tops. Watch out for Defeater, who is down to contest the Class 4A race over 1,200m. The Unite And Conquer three-year-old worked well, covering the 600m in 41.8sec. Trained by Tiang, Defeater is a rising star in Malaysian racing. To date, he has produced a handy record of three wins - all over 1,200m - three seconds and three thirds from 16 runs. At his last run in an Open race (1,600m) on June 29, Defeater was soundly beaten in that race won by Trees Of Valinor. The Australian galloper jumped from gate 12 and was angled out wide in the straight, but he did not make inroads when Khairil Zulkiflee asked for more, eventually finishing in eighth. Defeater is better than that. After all, it was as recently as his second-last start on June 15, in a Class 4A race (1,100m), that he ran a gallant second to the promising four-year-old Hypeman, who won on debut in Malaysia. Put a line through his last start and watch for an improved showing from the talented Defeater. Come July 20, he will have the track and trip on his side, and his connections could be looking at a fourth win at his 17th start. Another runner who will have the track and trip in his favour is Baby Twins. Trained by Tan, the Mondialiste five-year-old turned in a good workout, running the 600m in 38.4sec. The four-time winner, once at Kranji and thrice at Sungai Besi, has recorded all his wins at Class 4 level. The closest he got to a win at Class 3 level was when he finished ½ length in third behind Honesty on May 18. But, Baby Twins will get into the Class 3 race (1,100m) on July 20 with a featherweight of 52kg. It is a huge plus, and if left unchallenged up front, he could make every post a winning one. brian@
