KUCHING: Twelve-year-old SJKC Chung Hua Stampin student, Ngui Min Cheng, has proven that age is no barrier to innovation after emerging as the primary school category champion at the Sarawak Scratchathon Coding Challenge 2025, held at Tegas Digital Village.
What makes Ngui’s achievement remarkable is that he took only three weeks to create an interactive video game focused on environmental sustainability — a theme that resonated strongly with the competition’s judges.
Ngui’s project, developed entirely using his self-taught coding skills, highlights the importance of protecting the environment through three key stages: promoting eco-friendly transportation, preserving forests and safeguarding the oceans.
His mentor, Chung Siaw Jun, from the Padawan District Education Office (PPD), said Ngui worked independently throughout the process, while she and Ngui’s mother only provided minimal guidance and moral support.
“I’m very proud because he completed everything on his own. We just guided and encouraged him when needed,” Chung said.
She added that Ngui’s passion for coding began at the age of 10, when he was identified as a gifted student and selected to represent his school in various STEM-related activities.
“From the beginning, I could see that he had extraordinary talent. Despite strong competition, he always stood out. Over time, he has become more confident and refined in his work,” she added.
According to Chung, Ngui has already completed four projects since Primary Four, including building a robot using coding — a testament to his curiosity and consistency in learning.
Meanwhile, Ngui’s mother, Kee Mei Siah, expressed her pride and unwavering support for her son’s growing interest in coding, despite not fully understanding his work.
“He learns on his own by watching YouTube videos. I don’t really understand what he’s doing, but I always support his interest. He’s definitely smarter than me,” she said.
Ngui, who aspires to become a computer programmer, said the victory has given him new motivation to continue improving his skills and joining more competitions in the future.
“I’m happy to be the champion. I really enjoy programming and want to keep learning more about technology,” he said.
In the secondary school category, Nathan Kee Yong Zhen, 13, also took home the top prize after developing a project over the course of a month.
Kee said his work aimed to deliver an important message about the need to protect the planet and the environment.
“I’m very passionate about coding and wanted to create something meaningful. My goal is to become a scientist one day,” he said, adding that he has been nurturing his skills through self-learning and additional classes.
The Sarawak Scratchathon Coding Challenge 2025 once again underscored the strong potential of Sarawak’s young talents in the field of coding and digital innovation.
The event not only encourages students to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) but also inspires them to use technology as a tool to promote sustainability and environmental awareness — aligning with Sarawak’s vision of developing a future-ready digital generation.
