THE government highlighted the substantial socioeconomic impact of TikTok on the country’s digital landscape, projecting a contribution of RM20 billion to gross value added by 2025.

Speaking at the launch of the TikTok Malaysia Socioeconomic Impact Report 2025 today, Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir emphasised the need for digital participation to translate into tangible economic outcomes, from higher productivity to increased household incomes and quality employment opportunities.

He underscored the platform’s role in creating unique economic opportunities for entrepreneurs, content creators, individuals, and organisations across Malaysia.

“First and foremost, I would like to congratulate TikTok and everyone involved in launching this report. Reports such as this matter.

“They do more than highlight the reach of a platform. More importantly, they help us anchor our discussions about the digital economy in something more meaningful: real data, real participation, and real experiences of Malaysians,” he stated.

The Minister outlined the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that emerging sectors, particularly the digital economy, deliver measurable benefits.

He explained that coordinated efforts across government agencies aim to provide aligned policies, skills programmes, and enabling infrastructure, supporting sustainable growth for MSMEs and digital talent.

“Our responsibility is not only to design good plans, but to deliver them well. Because Malaysia’s growth must not only be strong: it must also be higher quality: more productive, more resilient, and more inclusive. That is very much the spirit of Malaysia MADANI,” he said.

Highlighting the limitations of conventional digital metrics, Akmal emphasised that success must be measured by real economic value rather than followers, views, or downloads.

“Digital success must be measured by real economic value,” he said.

“The real question is this: does digital participation help businesses grow? Does it improve productivity? Does it create jobs and income? Does it connect communities to new information, new markets, and new opportunities?”

According to the report, TikTok’s platform is expected to support over 147,000 jobs by 2025, reflecting broader changes in consumer behaviour and the role of trust in the digital economy.

“Trust is not just a social value, trust is an economic asset,” Akmal said, referencing Nielsen research indicating that 92 per cent of consumers trust recommendations from individuals over brand advertising.

For Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, digitalisation entails more than simply establishing an online presence.

The Minister stressed the importance of equipping businesses with marketing, operational, and customer engagement skills to achieve sustainable growth.

TikTok’s collaborations with government agencies have trained over 100,000 MSMEs, including those in rural and semi-urban communities, reinforcing Malaysia’s objective of inclusive digital opportunities.

“We must help MSMEs move from participation to productivity, and from productivity to scale. That is the real challenge before us,” he said.

He also highlighted the complementary relationship between online and offline commerce.

“This is not a choice between online and offline. It is about how both can reinforce each other,” he noted, pointing to data showing that 68 per cent of consumers made offline purchases after discovering brands online.

Turning to the creator ecosystem, the Minister remarked on the economic potential of content creators.

“Creators today are not simply entertainers. Many are micro-entrepreneurs; building audiences, producing content consistently, and shaping consumer behaviour in ways that create economic value,” he said.

He cited Khairul Aming, a prominent Malaysian creator, whose success has generated work for collaborators, production teams, suppliers, and local businesses.

Akmal stressed that responsible governance underpins sustainable digital growth.

“Without trust, consumers will hesitate. Without trust, businesses will not invest. Without trust, growth becomes fragile. That is why responsible governance matters. Responsible governance does not slow growth. It is what makes growth sustainable,” he said.

Looking ahead, he identified three strategic priorities for Malaysia’s digital economy: deepening capability-building for MSMEs and creators, strengthening infrastructure including payments and logistics, and safeguarding trust through transparency and accountability.

“The digital economy is not about platforms alone. It is about national capability. It is about whether we can build more productive enterprises, a more prepared workforce, and a marketplace that people can trust,” he said. – March 10, 2026