Exploring Digital Competency among Mah Meri Orang Asli Women Entrepreneurs in Malaysia's Tourism Sector

Authors

Rohayu Roddin

Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Malaysia)

Yusmarwati Yusof

Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Malaysia)

Marina Ibrahim Mukhtar

Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Malaysia)

Halizah Awang

Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Malaysia)

Muhammad Nur Hanafi Harolanuar

Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Malaysia)

Khairul Hisyam Kamarudin

Faculty of Build Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Malaysia)

Article Information

DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2026.100801138

Subject Category: Social science

Volume/Issue: 10/8 | Page No: 16635-16643

Publication Timeline

Submitted: 2026-09-09

Accepted: 2026-09-14

Published: 2026-09-25

Abstract

This study explores the digital competencies of Mah Meri Orang Asli women entrepreneurs engaged in Malaysia's tourism sector. Utilizing a case study approach, data were collected through interviews and observations with three women entrepreneurs and two supporting officers. The findings reveal that these women have adapted digital technologies, such as social media platforms, to market their products and services, reflecting an evolving digital literacy crucial for enhancing their entrepreneurial success. This study contributes to the understanding of how indigenous communities can leverage digital tools to boost economic development and offers insights into policy directions for digital inclusion.

Keywords

Digital Competency, Orang Asli, Entrepreneurship, Tourism

Downloads

References

1. Abd Hakim, J., and Singh, D. (2020). Teori Kompetensi: Ulasan dari Perspektif Kemahiran Digital. MyJICT - Malaysian Journal of Information and Communication Technology, 5(1). DOI: 10.53840/myjict5-1-28 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Ibrahim, A., Abdullah, R., Jazmina, W. N., Tun Ismail, W. N. A. and Olaitan, A. (2023). Strategy Formulation to Empower Indigenous Community Involvement In Cultural Ecological Tourism of Kuala Tahan National Park. Planning Malaysia, 21(1), 36–47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v21i25.1222 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. JAKOA (2022). Definisi Orang Asli. Retrieved from Https://Www.Jakoa.Gov.My/Orang-Asli/Pengenalan-Masyarakat-Orang-Asli/. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Lonan, V. (2021). Digital Competence: What Skills do you need to develop during the Pandemic? Retrieved from https://eufordigital.eu/digital-competence-what-skills-do-you-need-to-develop-during-the-pandemic/. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Mat Isa, B. H. (2021, April 23). Balai Internet Tingkatkan ilmu ICT masyarakat Orang Asli. Utusan Malaysia. Retrieved from https://www.utusan.com.my/ nasional/2021/04/balai-internet-tingkatkan-ilmu-ict-masyarakat-orang-asli/. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A Guide to Design and Implementation. San Francisco: Josey-Bass Publishers. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Mohd Puzi, M. A., and Ismail, H. N. (2017). Critical Review On The Existence Of Transgenerational Entrepreneurship In Tourism Businesses: Current Trend And Interest. Planning Malaysia, 15(3), 105 –114. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v15i3.301 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (3rd ed.). United States: Sage Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Riina, V., Stefano, K. & Yves, P. (2022). The Digital Competence Framework For Citizens - With New Examples Of Knowledge, Skills And Attitudes. Publications Office Of The European Union. Retrieved From Https://Joint-Research-Centre.Ec.Europa.Eu/Digcomp/Digcomp-Framework_En. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Roddin, R. (2016). Transformasi Dan Kejayaan Komuniti Orang Asli Mah Meri Pulau Carey Dalam Bidang Pelancongan. Tesis Doktor Falsafah. UTM Skudai. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Roddin, R., Yusof, Y., Mukhtar, I. M., Awang, H., Jalil, S. A., & Hariri, A. T. I. A. (2020). Proses Pembangunan Keupayaan Keusahawanan Ketua Isi Rumah (KIR) Wanita Orang Asli. Prosiding Langkawi International Multi-Disciplinary Advanced Research 2020 (Licar2020). 21-22 November, 2020. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Roddin, R., Yusof, Y., Mukhtar, I. M., Kamarudin, K. H. dan Hariri, A. T. I. A. (2021). Peranan Sektor Pelancongan Dalam Meningkatkan Pendapatan Golongan Wanita Orang Asli. Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Environment Management (JTHEM), 6(24), 30-38. DOI: 10.35631/JTHEM.624004 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Roddin, R., Yusof, Y., Mukhtar, I. M., Awang, H. & Yasak, Z. (2022). Pendekatan Pro-Poor Tourism (PPT) dalam mengatasi Masalah Kemiskinan Komuniti Orang Asli. Jurnal dunia Pengurusan. [S.l.], v. 4, n. 4, p. 21-29. ISSN 2682-8251. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Selvaratnam, D. P., Embong, Z. and Keliwo, K. B. (2019). Are the Orang Asli Ready for the Digital Economy? Malaysian Journal Of Consumer And Family Economics. v. 22, (S2), p. 152-166. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Sutrisno, E. (2016). Manajemen Sumber Daya Manusia. 8 edition. Kencana, Jakarta. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Unit Perancang Ekonomi. (2021). Rangka Tindakan (Blueprint) Ekonomi Digital Malaysia. Unit Perancang Ekonomi. Jabatan Perdana Menteri. Retrieved from ttps://www.epu.gov.my/sites/default/files/2021-02/rangka-tindakan-blueprint-ekonomi-digital-Malaysia.pdf. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Yin, R. K. (2003). Case Study Research: Design and Methods (Third ed. Vol. 5). London: SAGE. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Yusof, S. H. (2021, Mac 22). SayaDigital di perkampungan Orang Asli. Berita Harian. Retrieved from https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2021/03/798947/ sayadigital-di-perkampungan-orang-asli#google_vignette. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

Metrics

Views & Downloads

Similar Articles