KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 August 2026 - From local craftsmanship to businesses responding to changing consumer needs, Malaysian entrepreneurs are creating value in ways that reflect the country's diversity, resourcefulness and ambition. In conjunction with Merdeka and Malaysia Day, Shopee today launched Shopee Juara Lokal to celebrate 31 of these entrepreneurs whose journeys embody these qualities.
The inaugural Juara Lokal cohort brings together Shopee sellers from different states and business categories, selected for their distinctive stories, resilience, and established track records on the platform. Collectively, they demonstrate how digital commerce can help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) reach beyond their hometowns without losing sight of their roots.
Through a dedicated Juara Lokal digital showcase, Shopee offers Malaysians a closer look at the people, products, and stories behind these homegrown businesses in one curated destination.
The campaign also features an interview-led video series following the stories of Emilhan Mokhtar of Kita Shop Sabah, Satish Raguchandran of Russell Taylors, Natasha and Samantha Mah of Love Earth Organic, and Datuk Kamaruddin Meranun of MILK™. The series explores the experiences, challenges and milestones that have shaped their entrepreneurial journeys, with episodes released progressively across Shopee Malaysia's Instagram and YouTube channels in the lead-up to Malaysia Day.
For Emilhan Mokhtar, founder of Kita Shop Sabah, childhood days spent helping his parents at local tamu markets became the foundation for his business.
"Being recognised as a Juara makes me immensely proud to represent the people, culture and craftsmanship of Sabah. Selling online has helped us bring authentic Sabahan pearl craftsmanship to customers across Malaysia, grow our team, and eventually expand from an online business into a physical storefront," shared Emilhan.
While some businesses are rooted in local heritage and craftsmanship, others were shaped by personal experiences. Love Earth Organic is one such example, whose co-founders Samantha and Natasha Mah's experience of seeing loved ones face health challenges prompted them to address a gap faced by their community: finding affordable, organic food products that meet Malaysians' evolving health and lifestyle needs.
Samantha Mah, Co-Founder and Chief of Inspiration at Love Earth Organic, said, "Losing loved ones to cancer made us realise how important the choices we make every day can be, especially the food we put on our plates. That experience inspired us to start Love Earth Organic, to make healthier, organic choices more accessible to Malaysian families."
Through Shopee Juara Lokal, Shopee is spotlighting the stories and journeys of Malaysian entrepreneurs to inspire more Malaysians to discover and support homegrown businesses. By celebrating their achievements and the impact they've made, the campaign also hopes to inspire the next generation of Malaysian sellers to follow in their footsteps and build businesses that positively impact the community.
Nik Emir Nik Din, Head of Public Policy and External Affairs, Shopee Malaysia, said, "Behind every homegrown business is a distinctly Malaysian story, shaped by personal experience, local knowledge, and the determination to build something meaningful. As these businesses grow, they create employment opportunities and open new avenues for Malaysian products and traditions, and reach customers beyond their immediate markets.
The 31 entrepreneurs featured in Juara Lokal demonstrate that success can take many forms, with each carving out their own unique journey. By showcasing their stories, we hope to set an example for future cohorts of successful Juara Lokal sellers, inspiring them to chart their own journeys and find success on their own terms," he added.
Jumat, 21 Agustus 2026 | 15:05
