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TikTok turns to South-east Asia to drive new growth

Viral app’s parent ByteDance targets large Indonesian market but faces growing regulatory scrutiny around the world.

TikTok chief executive Chew Shou Zi delivers his opening speech during the TikTok Southeast Asia Impact Forum 2023 in Jakarta on June 15.

PHOTO: AFP

Mercedes Ruehl

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Far away from

the tough scrutiny he faced

in Washington, TikTok chief executive Chew Shou Zi was milking the crowd as he was feted at an event in Indonesia this month.

Dressed in a traditional batik shirt, the Singaporean

embraced an enthusiastic audience

in the capital Jakarta. Amid flashing disco lights and upbeat music, he declared to applause from government officials and fans that TikTok would “invest billions” in South-east Asia. Indonesia specifically would receive US$10 billion (S$13.5 billion) in investment from TikTok over the next five years, he said.

TikTok turns to South-east Asia to drive new growth

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