Shopee makes National Day parade debut with tribute to Malaysia’s local champions
Shopee said the 45 employees represented the thousands of Malaysians working behind the scenes to support buyers, sellers and the wider e-commerce community.
SHAH ALAM - Shopee made its debut at the National Day parade with a 47-member contingent led by entrepreneur Datuk Seri Aliff Syukri Kamarzaman, while content creator Muhammad Noor Zakaria, better known as MadNor, carried the flag.
The contingent also comprised 45 Shopee employees from across the business, who marched together in a celebration of national pride and Malaysians’ contributions to the country’s digital economy.
Shopee said its first participation in the parade brought to life the spirit of its Shopee Juara Lokal Merdeka campaign, which celebrates the determination, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Malaysians who continue to move the country forward.
At the head of the contingent, Aliff embodied the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of the campaign. The founder of health and beauty brand D’Herbs said taking part in the parade was a meaningful experience, having previously watched it from the sidelines.
“Before this, I was always just watching the parade from the sidelines, so to finally experience it for myself was really something special. People may only see five minutes of the parade, but behind those five minutes are days of rehearsals, early mornings and a lot of teamwork.
“Once we were in formation, it did not matter what your title or background was. We were all Malaysians, celebrating Merdeka together. For me, that is what made the experience truly meaningful,” he said.
MadNor, who carried the Shopee flag said the opportunity reflected how his career in the digital and content space had opened the door to an experience he had never expected.
“Being able to represent Shopee at this year’s Merdeka parade is something I am really grateful for. I never imagined that my journey into the digital and content space would give me the chance to be part of an event like this.
“Marching alongside my fellow Malaysians in the Shopee contingent felt like I was representing everyone who took a chance on themselves and dared to dream bigger. To me, that is what Malaysia is about; ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” he said.
The experience was also significant for the 45 Shopee employees who marched alongside them.
Thines Kumar described the opportunity as an unforgettable experience, while Delphinie Chan, who helped coordinate the contingent from recruitment through rehearsals and the parade itself, described seeing the team’s efforts come together on the day as truly inspiring.
For Zulaikha Zainul, the parade fulfilled a long-held ambition.
“I have always wanted to be part of the Merdeka parade. Growing up, I only got to watch it on screen. Having grown up overseas for part of my life, my friends always teased me for being ‘not Malaysian enough’, so I guess this was my chance to prove them wrong.
“It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a special way to feel the spirit of Merdeka,” she shared.
Shopee said the 45 employees represented the thousands of Malaysians working behind the scenes to support buyers, sellers and the wider e-commerce community.
The company also highlighted the role of local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which it said had been an important part of its community over the past decade, supporting businesses from their first steps online to established home-grown brands reaching customers nationwide and beyond.
Shopee Malaysia Head of Public Policy and External Affairs Nik Emir Nik Din said the parade provided an opportunity to celebrate Malaysians who contributed to the country's progress.
“Merdeka is a celebration of what Malaysians can build and achieve together and of the people who will carry our country forward.
“Seeing an entrepreneur, a creator and our own employees marching together was especially meaningful because, in different ways, they represent the community Shopee has grown alongside in Malaysia.
“Our first National Day parade was an opportunity to celebrate that community and salute the entrepreneurial spirit we see across the country every day. Behind every home-grown business is someone who took an idea, acted on it and kept building, often through challenges and uncertainty.
“As Malaysia moves forward, we want to continue doing our part by helping more local entrepreneurs strengthen their capabilities, reach more customers and take their ambitions further. Their success contributes not only to the digital economy, but to the communities and livelihoods around them,” he said.
Shopee's inaugural National Day parade participation therefore served not only as a celebration of Merdeka, but also as a tribute to entrepreneurs, creators, employees and communities contributing to Malaysia’s evolving digital economy.
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