Sabah TikTok Entrepreneurs Shine at 2025 Aspiring Entrepreneur Awards

15 May 2025

KOTA BELUD: A group of innovative Sabah-based entrepreneurs have been recognised for their remarkable achievements in digital business, receiving top honours at the Sabah Aspiring Entrepreneur Awards 2025, held in conjunction with the TEKUN Madani Carnival at Kadamaian Square Open Hall today.

Leading the winners was Sharphinosbrand, who impressed judges with unwavering consistency, hosting two TikTok Shop live sessions daily, culminating in over 140 broadcasts between March and April 2025.

The brand's dedication to engaging content and routine interaction with customers set a benchmark in the region’s digital retail space.

Queyun Tuhau also stood out, garnering over 300,000 interactions through a combination of live streams and short-form videos, proving the power of local flavours and cultural storytelling in driving online engagement.

Another recipient, Sambal MENAQ, captivated audiences with just two viral videos that amassed more than 170,000 views in only two months, showcasing the brand’s ability to create high-impact content with minimal output.

Atiya Hijab, meanwhile, was acknowledged for her impressive creative output, producing over 100 TikTok videos in the same period, steadily growing a loyal customer base for her modest fashion line.

In a special category, Kita Shop Sabah earned the Sabah Star Award 2025 for overall excellence, achieving the highest sales and successfully moving more than 4,000 product units between March and April.

Their performance underscores the potential of rural entrepreneurs when equipped with the right digital tools.

The awards were presented by the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick, who highlighted the importance of embracing digital transformation in modern business.

“These entrepreneurs exemplify how innovation and consistency can drive success online. Their achievements also reflect the strong collaboration between TikTok Shop and TEKUN Nasional in empowering local businesses,” he said in his statement.

The three-day TEKUN Madani Carnival, an initiative by TEKUN Nasional in partnership with TikTok Shop, featured a range of activities including live product showcases, business exhibitions, mentoring sessions, traditional games, and interactive segments aimed at uplifting small and rural entrepreneurs.

This year’s winners represent a new wave of digital-savvy business owners redefining what it means to succeed in Malaysia’s growing e-commerce landscape.