Armizan (second from left) who visited the Shopee exhibition booth as part of the Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti initiative in Papar, Sabah, received a token of appreciation from Sea Limited (Malaysia)external affairs head Nik Emir Din.
Connecting with local communities to promote digital inclusion and meaningful engagement
SHOPEE Malaysia, one of the leading e-commerce platforms in South-East Asia, Taiwan and Brazil, launched its Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti in Sabah as part of the National Consumers Consultative Council’s Semarak Konsumerisme programme 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 initiative was attended by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
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 said, “We welcome programmes like the Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti, which support the government’s goal in 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.
ShopeeXperts, Syahmi Kamal, sharing his knowledge with the public attending the Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti programme in Papar, Sabah.
“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 over hundreds of thousands of sellers and aspiring entrepreneurs across Malaysia, with a continued commitment to uplifting local communities.
This year’s Jelajah Komuniti edition will reach even more participants, delivering expanded offline and online training across Malaysia, through the end of the year, helping Malaysians grow their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital economy.
Unlike other training programmes, Shopee Rai Lokal emphasises community-driven, hands-on guidance to help participants set up their Shopee stores and begin selling 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, to help participants build a strong online presence and unlock new opportunities for sustainable business growth.
Shopee Malaysia country director Saovanee Chan-Somchit said, “At Shopee, we are committed to making digital education accessible to everyone, especially communities in underserved areas.
“Through programmes that cover online entrepreneurship, digital tools and emerging technologies, we help Malaysians build the skills they need to grow in the digital economy.
“Sabah is one of the first stops for the Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti, where vibrant communities can tap into these opportunities.
“By empowering small businesses and local entrepreneurs, we aim to foster stronger livelihoods and a more connected and inclusive society.”
During the Papar session, attendees also had the opportunity to engage with Shopee Bintang, a network of Shopee’s top seller ambassadors.
'At Shopee, we are committed to making digital education accessible to everyone, especially communities in underserved areas,' said Saovanee.
These experienced sellers shared their personal journeys and offered practical tips to encourage more Malaysians to explore e-commerce as a means of income generation.
One Shopee Bintang from Sabah, KitaShop Sabah founder Emilhan Mohkhtar shared, “Starting my online business with Shopee allowed me to support my family and reach customers far beyond my hometown.
“I am proud to be able to give back by sharing what I have learned with others in my community.”
An attendee said, “I have always wanted to start my own business but did not know where to begin. This programme opened my eyes to the opportunities that selling online can bring.
“Listening to the Shopee seller’s stories showed me that it is possible for us to grow and earn through e-commerce. I am excited to learn more and hopefully start my own journey soon.”
Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti will continue its nationwide outreach in 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 strengthening their ability to generate income online.
This initiative is part of Shopee’s broader commitment to empowering micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Malaysia through holistic and sustained support.
Beyond the Jelajah Komuniti, Shopee continues to empower MSMEs nationwide through its RM50mil Shopee Rai Lokal MSME Growth Package, which provides sellers with training, digital tools and incentives to scale their businesses.
Participants can also build on 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.
“Empowering local small businesses is key to building stronger communities,” Saovanee added.
“By helping more Malaysians take part in the digital economy, we hope to create lasting, inclusive impact – 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 empowering 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.
