Shopee Expands Community Outreach to Johor to Empower SMEs and Boost Digital Entrepreneurship
PETALING JAYA: E-commerce giant Shopee is stepping up efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s digital economy by bringing its Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti programme to Pengerang, Johor, in a move aimed at helping local entrepreneurs and small businesses expand through online commerce.
Held in conjunction with the Malaysian Department of Insolvency (MdI) Johor Open Day 2026, the programme attracted more than 200 participants, including entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners, affiliates and members of the local community.
The event featured a series of practical sharing sessions focused on digital entrepreneurship, business growth strategies and ways to leverage e-commerce platforms to reach wider markets.
Shopee Malaysia Head of Corporate Affairs Nadia Anwar said Johor possesses significant growth potential in the digital economy due to its diverse range of local products and strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.
She noted that traditional food products, artisan goods, heritage textiles and lifestyle products from Johor have strong prospects of gaining wider recognition through online marketplaces.
“Johor has many unique and high-quality products, from traditional Muar food pastes to local delicacies and heritage crafts, all of which have strong potential to reach customers beyond their immediate communities.
“At Shopee, we are committed to making e-commerce more accessible to entrepreneurs regardless of where they are located,” she said in a statement.
According to Nadia, Shopee aims to equip local businesses with the knowledge, tools and support needed to participate confidently in the digital economy.
Through Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti, the company hopes to help entrepreneurs strengthen their digital capabilities, better understand consumer trends and use technology to drive sustainable business growth.
“This programme is not just about introducing e-commerce.
“It is about providing practical skills and knowledge that entrepreneurs can immediately apply to improve and grow their businesses,” she said.
Nadia added that changing consumer behaviour and rapid technological development have made digital commerce an increasingly important pillar of economic growth.
As a result, continuous efforts are needed to ensure local entrepreneurs are able to adapt and remain competitive in an evolving business environment.
The event was officiated by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who described the initiative as an important platform to strengthen local entrepreneurship.
She said Johor is emerging as one of Malaysia’s major economic hubs and local businesses must be equipped with the necessary skills to seize opportunities created by the digital economy.
“The digital economy offers enormous opportunities for businesses to grow.
“But to benefit from these opportunities, entrepreneurs need the right knowledge and skills,” she said.
Azalina added that programmes such as Shopee Rai Lokal Jelajah Komuniti help bridge the gap by bringing digital knowledge and practical skills directly to local communities.
She expressed confidence that with continued support from both the government and private sector, more Malaysian entrepreneurs will be able to grow their businesses and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic development.
According to her, the benefits of digital transformation should not be limited to major cities alone but should be extended to communities across the country so that everyone can participate in and benefit from the digital economy.
