Shopee Empowers Sabah Communities for Digital Growth

11 November 2025

PAPAR: Shopee Malaysia, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Brazil, today launched its Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti in Sabah as part of the national Semarak Konsumerisme Programme held in Papar. The initiative aims to equip rural and semi-urban communities with practical digital skills, enabling more Malaysians to participate in the online economy and improve their livelihoods through e-commerce.

Held as part of the Semarak Konsumerisme programme, the event was attended by Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living. Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti supports the programme’s theme, “Kita Pengguna, Komuniti Sejahtera,” by promoting responsible consumerism and digital participation at the community level.

Armizan expressed support for initiatives like this, stating, “We welcome programmes such as the Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti, which support the government’s goal of strengthening digital participation among communities. Empowering rural entrepreneurs and consumers with the right knowledge and digital skills is key to building an inclusive and sustainable economy. Through efforts like this, we can ensure that more Malaysians benefit from the opportunities of the digital era.”

Now in its seventh year, Shopee Rai Lokal has supported hundreds of thousands of sellers and aspiring entrepreneurs across Malaysia, reaffirming its commitment to uplifting local communities. This year’s Jelajah Komuniti edition aims to reach even more participants by delivering expanded offline and online training programs nationwide, continuing until the end of the year. The initiative seeks to help Malaysians grow their businesses and seize new opportunities within the digital economy.

Unlike other training programmes, Shopee Rai Lokal emphasises community-driven, hands-on guidance to assist participants in setting up their Shopee stores and beginning to sell with greater ease and confidence. The training modules cover key areas such as product listing management, customer engagement, and the use of digital tools, including AI-powered smart selling features, campaign tools, and real-time analytics. These resources are designed to help participants establish a strong online presence and unlock sustainable business growth.

Saovanee Chan-Somchit, Country Director of Shopee Malaysia, remarked, “At Shopee, we are committed to making digital education accessible to everyone, especially in underserved communities. Through programmes that cover online entrepreneurship, digital tools, and emerging technologies, we help Malaysians develop the skills needed to thrive in the digital economy. Sabah is one of the first stops for the Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti, where vibrant communities can explore these opportunities. By empowering small businesses and local entrepreneurs, we aim to foster stronger livelihoods and a more connected, inclusive society.”

During the Papar session, attendees also had the opportunity to engage with Shopee Bintang, a network of Shopee’s top seller ambassadors. These experienced sellers shared their personal journeys and offered practical tips to encourage more Malaysians to explore e-commerce as a viable income stream. One Sabah-based Shopee Bintang, Emilhan Mohkhtar, founder of KitaShop Sabah, shared, “Starting my online business with Shopee allowed me to support my family and reach customers far beyond my hometown. I am proud to give back by sharing what I have learned with others in my community.”

An attendee named Yong commented, “I have always wanted to start my own business but didn’t know where to begin. This programme opened my eyes to the opportunities that selling online can bring. Listening to the stories of Shopee sellers showed me that it’s possible for us to grow and earn through e-commerce. I’m excited to learn more and hope to start my own journey soon.”

Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti will continue its nationwide outreach over the coming months, focusing on areas with strong potential for digital growth. Each session is designed to be practical, inclusive, and rooted in the community—helping participants overcome common barriers to starting their e-commerce journey and enhancing their ability to generate income online.

This initiative is part of Shopee’s broader commitment to empowering MSMEs across Malaysia through holistic and sustained support. Beyond the Jelajah Komuniti, Shopee continues to assist MSMEs nationwide via its RM50 million Shopee Rai Lokal MSME Growth Package, which provides sellers with training, digital tools, and incentives to scale their businesses. Participants can further their learning through Shopee University, a free platform offering structured modules and expert-led sessions that have helped thousands of sellers deepen their digital capabilities and grow with greater confidence.

This year also marks Shopee’s 10th year in Malaysia, a decade dedicated to empowering and upskilling MSMEs nationwide. Saovanee Chan-Somchit added, “Empowering local small businesses is key to building stronger communities. By helping more Malaysians participate in the digital economy, we hope to create lasting, inclusive impacts, from Sabah to every corner of the country.”

As Shopee continues its journey to uplift communities through technology, initiatives like Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti reaffirm its long-term commitment to making the digital economy more accessible and inclusive for all. By equipping local entrepreneurs with the right tools, knowledge, and support, Shopee aims to help more Malaysians build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to a digitally connected nation.