Strengthening the Competitiveness of Indonesian MSMEs in the Malaysian Market
Keywords:
community engagement, Indonesian MSMEs, Malaysian market, entrepreneurship training, diaspora business
Abstract
This community engagement programme aimed to strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the Malaysian market through practical entrepreneurship training for Indonesian citizens in Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding areas. The programme was implemented at Rumah Hamka Malaysia and involved 30 existing and prospective entrepreneurs from various business sectors. Using a participatory training approach, the activities focused on target market identification, product attractiveness, business integrity, packaging improvement, and cost-effective promotional strategies. Evaluation was conducted through pre-test and post-test assessments, observation, worksheets, participant feedback, and satisfaction questionnaires. The data were analysed using descriptive analysis and a paired-samples t-test. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in participants’ understanding after the programme. Participants became more capable of identifying market segments, formulating product value, building customer trust, improving packaging presentation, and designing simple promotional messages. This programme concludes that community-based practical training can support Indonesian diaspora entrepreneurs and strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Malaysia.
References
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Tresnasari, R., & Zulganef, Z. (2023). Penguatan kewirausahaan dan strategi pemasaran untuk meningkatkan kinerja UMKM dengan keterbatasan sumber daya. Jurnal Manajemen Dan Pemasaran, 11(2), 67–82.
Yang, M., Jaafar, N., Yeng, S. K., & Al Mamun, A. (2022). Modelling the significance of global mind-set and halal brand trust to determine the performance of halal SMEs. International Journal of Business and Society, 23(2), 987–1004. https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.4854.2022
Yoga, I. M. S., Putra, I. K. A., & Dewi, N. L. P. (2025). Metode praktik dalam pelatihan kewirausahaan: Meningkatkan keterampilan terapan peserta. Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pelatihan, 15(1), 23–38.
Anshori, M. A. (2024). Brand association sebagai strategi peningkatan loyalitas pelanggan UMKM. Governance: Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan, 14(2), 123–135.
Anshori, M., Suyati, E. S., & Rezki, I. (2023). Desain produk UMKM sebagai upaya untuk menciptakan peluang kerja dan kualitas hidup masyarakat Mandomai. Bijaksana: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat, 1(1), 15–18. https://doi.org/10.33084/bijaksana.v1i1.5207
Badriyah, N., Wahyudi, S. T., Prastiwi, A., Nur, M., Sari, K., Nabella, R. S., & Radeetha, R. (2023). Economic empowerment through the development of food and beverage micro enterprises. Jurnal Pemberdayaan Masyarakat, 8(2), 101–115.
Chen, W., Zhang, Y., & Liu, H. (2024). Migrant entrepreneurship and economic integration in host countries. Economic Sociology Review, 15(2), 78–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/esr.2024.02.005
Drieschner, C., Schmidt, T., & Meier, L. (2025). Community service program evaluation: Methods and best practices. Journal of Community Engagement, 12(1), 45–58.
Fontefrancesco, M. F., & Mendonce, J. (2022). Migrant entrepreneurship and social inclusion: Exploring transnational dynamics. International Migration Review, 56(3), 765–789. https://doi.org/10.1177/01979183221084567
Hairunisya, N., Rindrayani, S. R., & Subiyantoro, H. (2023). Community development and social welfare through entrepreneurship management training. Asian Management and Business Review, 3(2), 107–120. https://doi.org/10.20885/AMBR.vol3.iss2.art1
Herawati, V. D., Rahmaningtyas, A., Zulfatirrohman, A. I., Pratiwi, H. E., Indriawan, T., Dutyama Fiddien, G., Yang, L., Taki, S., & Suswardany, D. L. (2022). Increasing the Revenue Through Digital Marketing: A lesson learned from a Small Business Enterprise Run by Volunteers of Community with Disability. Journal of Community Services and Engagement: Voice of Community |, 2(2), 3. https://doi.org/10.23917/voc.v2i2.1521
Husna, A., Fitriani, N., & Cahyono, B. (2025). Analisis kepuasan peserta program pelatihan UMKM. Jurnal Inovasi Dan Pengabdian Masyarakat, 7(2), 89–102.
Kementerian Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia. (2024). Data persebaran WNI berdasarkan jenis kelamin tahun 2018-2024.
Kementerian Perdagangan Republik Indonesia. (2025). Data ekspor nonmigas Indonesia ke Malaysia 2024-2025.
Maulana, R., Suryadi, E., & Lestari, P. (2025). Strategi promosi hemat dan efektif bagi UMKM pemula. Jurnal Pemasaran Digital, 9(1), 34–49.
Mukhlisin, M., Ismail, N., & Fikri, R. J. (2022). Mind the gap: Theories in Islamic accounting and finance, Islamic economics and business management studies. ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance, 14(3), 333–348.
Ollanketo, S., & Pylvanainen, P. (2025). Customer-centric business training for micro-entrepreneurs: Impacts on consumer needs understanding and business strategy improvement. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 28(3), 201–218.
Pardono, Muhammad, D. R. A., Khomah, I., Ihsaniyati, H., & Setyowati, N. (2022). Peningkatan Brand Image Kopi Robusta Temanggung Berbasis Indikasi Geografis. Jurnal Warta LPM, 25(1), 101–111. https://doi.org/10.23917/warta.v25i1.602
Pauli, U. (2020). Training and its impact on SME performance: A comprehensive review. International Journal of Training and Development, 24(4), 312–329.
Pedone, S., Koinova, M., & van der Zwet, A. (2023). Capacity-building and diasporic civil society. Development in Practice, 33(4), 411–425.
Putri, E., Bandi, Widardjo, W., & Arifin, T. (2024). Cloud inventory: Cara mudah UMKM mengetahui persediaan barang dagang. Abdi Psikonomi, 5(2), 65–71. https://doi.org/10.23917/psikonomi.v5i2.7379
Ramadhani, A., Wibowo, H., & Suryani, T. (2025). Segmentasi pasar, keunikan produk, dan pengemasan dalam meningkatkan daya tarik UMKM. Jurnal Bisnis Dan Kewirausahaan, 13(1), 45–62.
Saima, S., Hassan, R., & Abdullah, N. (2024). Challenges and ways forward for the Malaysian SMEs in the Halal food industry: A systematic review. Journal of Halal Research and Policy, 7(1), 15–32.
Setiawan, V., Krisnawan, A. H., & Indarini, I. (2023). Penguatan usaha mandiri diversifikasi produk jahe melalui penyuluhan pemilihan kemasan, pemasaran digital, dan perizinan produk. Amalee: Indonesian Journal of Community Research and Engagement, 4(1), 319–328.
Setiawati, E., Sasongko, N., Trisnawati, R., & Kusumawati, E. D. (2020). Pembukuan akuntansi sederhana untuk usaha mikro, kecil, dan menengah (UMKM) menggunakan aplikasi Laporan Keuangan Mikro (Lamikro) pada Forum UMKM Surakarta. Abdi Psikonomi, 1(2), 98–104. https://doi.org/10.23917/psikonomi.v1i2.182
Sholahuddin, M., Nasir, M., Bawono, A. D. B., Permatasari, Q., & Annisa, W. (2024). Building Financial Awareness and Personal Branding: Strategies to Avoid Riba and High-Risk Online Transactions. Unram Journal of Community Service, 5(4), 297–305. https://doi.org/10.29303/ujcs.v5i4.756
Sholahuddin, M., Wiyadi, Abas, N. I., Rahmawati, S. D., & Rahmawati, R. Y. (2024). Strategi digital marketing untuk peningkatan usaha UMKM binaan PCIM Malaysia. INNOVATIVE: Journal of Social Science Research, 4(1), 4147–4161.
Suranto, S., Ambarwati, A., Suparti, S., Sofyan, A., Agustina, L., Salsa Bella, S., Oktaviana, D. E., Pri Afandi, A., Rizki Haya, L., & Zuhri, T. S. (2021). Pelatihan digital marketing untuk meningkatkan pemasaran produk jamur tiram dimasa pandemi Covid-19 pada UMKM Gading Sukowati, Sragen. Abdi Psikonomi, 2(4), 175–180. https://doi.org/10.23917/psikonomi.v2i4.446
Tresnasari, R., & Zulganef, Z. (2023). Penguatan kewirausahaan dan strategi pemasaran untuk meningkatkan kinerja UMKM dengan keterbatasan sumber daya. Jurnal Manajemen Dan Pemasaran, 11(2), 67–82.
Yang, M., Jaafar, N., Yeng, S. K., & Al Mamun, A. (2022). Modelling the significance of global mind-set and halal brand trust to determine the performance of halal SMEs. International Journal of Business and Society, 23(2), 987–1004. https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.4854.2022
Yoga, I. M. S., Putra, I. K. A., & Dewi, N. L. P. (2025). Metode praktik dalam pelatihan kewirausahaan: Meningkatkan keterampilan terapan peserta. Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pelatihan, 15(1), 23–38.
Published
2026-06-26
How to Cite
Sholahuddin, M., Ismail, N., Subardjo, R., Suranto, S., Nasir, M., Fadhil, M., Anshori, M., Amalia, T., & Salim, M. (2026). Strengthening the Competitiveness of Indonesian MSMEs in the Malaysian Market. MALLOMO: Journal of Community Service, 6(2), 1061-1076. https://doi.org/10.55678/mallomo.v6i2.2809
Section
Articles
