KUCHING: The sixth edition of the BugCrusher Junior Coding Hackathon 2025 which recorded an impressive 1,272 participants ended today at Makeramai Makerspace in Plaza Merdeka here.
The participants comprised 954 students and 318 teachers, with 528 students and 176 teachers representing Sarawak alone.
Launched in 2020 by Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and Realfun Learning Centre, BugCrusher began as a small coding competition but has since transformed into one of Malaysia’s most impactful STEM outreach initiatives.
This year’s four-month programme, held from March to July, adopted a hybrid model combining physical hackathons, online challenges and teacher-led workshops.
The hackathon featured two categories: the Junior Category for ages 10 to 12 using Scratch and the Senior Category for ages 13 to 15 using HTML CSS or Advanced Scratch.
The competition reached 19 rural areas across Sarawak, engaging 300 students and 100 teachers, and spotlighting young talents from regions often left behind in digital education.
Finalists in the Junior Category hailed from Sarawak, Sabah, Penang and Selangor, while the Senior Category featured strong representation from Sarawak and Penang, underscoring the rising digital literacy of schools nationwide.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, SDEC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman reminded attendees that BugCrusher is far more than just a coding contest.
“We are not just teaching students about coding. We are sparking curiosity, building confidence, and inspiring them to become inventors, innovators and problem solvers of tomorrow.
“And what makes BugCrusher truly special is the strong bond between students and teachers working hand in hand as partners in discovery,” he said.
Sudarnoto emphasised the broader vision behind the programme to democratise access to digital learning through long-term, meaningful engagement.
He highlighted the significance of SDEC’s outreach initiative Signs on Wheels, a mobile STEM lab which brings hands-on science education to rural communities.
Many of the students who began their STEM journey through this initiative have now grown into confident and capable participants in national competitions like BugCrusher.
“These programmes are not just about competition. They are stepping stones, platforms where young minds can push their limits, solve real-world challenges and begin seeing themselves as digital leaders,” he added.
This year also saw BugCrusher expanding its reach to underserved areas including Sundar, Mukah and Nanga, with over 100 rural participants joining the programme.
The team also celebrated the participation of students who had previously engaged with Signs on Wheels, showcasing the long-term impact of consistent STEM exposure.
The success of BugCrusher 2025 was made possible through support from the Ministry of Education Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak (MEITD), Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia and TEGAS Community Innovative Learning (TCIL) alongside dedicated partners, judges, educators and parents.
For more information about BugCrusher and upcoming programmes, visit bugcrusher.net.
