Taobao has announced plans to launch a Bahasa Malaysia interface by June 2025, aiming to better connect with local users and make online shopping more accessible.
Head of Taobao Malaysia, Jess Lew said the move reflects the company’s commitment to localising its services to suit the needs of Malaysian consumers with the addition of Bahasa Malaysia, users will find it easier to shop without the language barrier.
Taobao is rolling out its new language interface at a time when the app is gaining significant global traction. In Malaysia, the app has also recently reached the second position on the iOS shopping app chart.
According to China Report ASEAN, the Taobao app recorded 326,000 overseas downloads on Tuesday, marking a 222% increase from 104,000 downloads on Sunday.
It now ranks among the top 10 most downloaded apps in 123 countries. During this period, downloads on Apple's iOS platform surged by 483% in North America and 439% in Europe.
Taobao also revealed that the app ranks as the second most downloaded on the Malaysian App Store, showing strong and growing local interest in the platform.
Previously, Malaysia and Singapore were among the first regions to receive the English version of Taobao in September 2024.
That update included features like estimated pricing in Malaysian Ringgit, making the shopping experience more convenient for local users.
The upcoming Bahasa Malaysia version is expected to further boost user confidence and attract more shoppers who prefer using the national language for their online purchases.
Taobao, under its parent company Alibaba Group, collaborated with Lumahgo New Retail to establish a physical store at MyTOWN Shopping Centre in Cheras. Spanning 5,000 square feet, the Taobao Store by Lumahgo offered a blend of online and offline shopping experiences. This launch came shortly after Taobao debuted its first concept store in Southeast Asia at Singapore’s Funan mall.
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri.
