Starchild: Malaysian children share what friendship means to them

Lim Jo Ern, 7

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ITEM: Our country celebrates Merdeka on Aug 31. It is a special day to mark the country’s independence. This year’s theme is “Malaysia Prihatin (Malaysia Cares) which emphasises the spirit of patriotism, unity and love for the country. Starchild wants to know what makes you proud to be Malaysian.

Get creative, show us your love for Malaysia and send us your drawings.

E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by Aug 20. Please put “STARCHILD: Merdeka” in the subject line of your e-mail.

Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address.

Did you know that International Friendship Day was celebrated last week, on July 30, to promote and celebrate great friendships.

It is a special day that reminds us how our friends make us happy.

We can nurture our friendships by spending time with our friends – we can do this online during the movement control order period, through platforms like WhatsApp, Google Meet or a phone chat.

Many of our readers shared about their friendships on the topic, Friendship Day and so, Starchild will run your drawings over two weeks.

Jodie Tan Li Juen, 12

Twelve-year-old Jodie Tan Li Juen’s best friend is her classmate Siow Shuan Yik. “She is kind and a happy-go-lucky person. We always discuss and solve our school homework together. I will give her many likes on her social media account. I am blessed and happy to have her as my friend.”

Younger sibling Jayden Tan Li Sheng, eight, writes: “When the movement control order is over, I want to play badminton with my best friend and classmate, Joshua Chiew Chun Hao. He helps to jot down homework for me when I’m absent from school. We enjoy playing Roblox together too.”

Jayden Tan Li Sheng, 8

Gabrielle Yap Ee Min, 11, writes: “My best friend is my sister, who is three years older than me. We always play games together, including board games, computer games and video games. We are very close and always keep each other company.”

Gabrielle Yap Ee Min, 11

“Damon Lim is my close friend because he’s likeable, honest and kind,” writes seven-year-old Brandon Tang Chee Harng.

Lim Sheng Hao, 8

Eight-year-old Lim Sheng Hao has many friends but Jayden Hong is his best friend. “Jayden is a Chindian. He loves to eat roti canai and curry. He’s kind and honest. Due to the pandemic, we cannot see each other. But we continue to keep in touch through phone calls and messaging.”

“Ch’ng Yan Bei is my best friend. He has long hair but he isn’t a girl. He’s handsome. I’m sad that I can’t play with him during the movement control order,” writes Chuah Seng Koon, five.

Caitlyn Miriam Louis, 9

“My best friend’s name is Sophia Joy Wong. She is nine years old like me. Even though we don’t go to the same school, we are still best friends. She is pretty, smart and always helps me. We always go on family holidays together! Because of the MCO, we can’t meet each other. But fortunately, we have started having Zoom meetings with each other and sometimes we video call each other to play our favourite video game, PK XD. I love my best friend very much,” says Caitlyn Miriam Louis, nine.

“At school, my best friend is Kam Kar Bell. We always play together. My other best friend is Lim Zi Xuan who stays two doors away from my home. My other best friend is Sueey Cheah. She is very funny and friendly. Last but not least, my forever friend is my mummy. My mummy has always been there for me since the day I was born. I love to cuddle Mummy all the time,” writes Adelyn Hui-Ling Yeo, six.

Claire Yap Jyn Wei, 6

My sibling Sophie is my favourite friend. I enjoy swimming with my sister and my father,” says Claire Yap Jyn Wei, six.

Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, 8

Older sibling Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, eight, writes: “Claire is my best friend. She plays with me, talks with me and jokes with me. I love her very much.”

“My best friend has brown hair, curly long hair and big eyes. She is my classmate too. She is nice and friendly. I hope we will be best friends forever,” writes Lim Jo Ern, seven. - Compiled by Sheela Chandran