Starchild: Malaysian children have great ideas for inventions

Asher Wang Qi Chuen,4

From the ingenious light bulb by Thomas Edison to the indispensable telephone by Alexander Graham Bell to the life-saving penicillin by Alexander Fleming, our lives have been made easier, and safer, by inventors and their inventions.

Our imaginative readers shared many exciting ideas of what they’d like to invent.

Some letters are highlighted here, while others will be published next week.

Wong Zheng Qian, 11

Wong Zheng Qian, 11, wants to create a sofa that can help people with disabilities. “It has special legs and hands to clean the house. It can help disabled people rest on the sofa while it moves around to help them complete chores. I hope my invention will be helpful.”

Chan Xuan Ting, 11

“My invention is called Sans Costume, a special outfit that can change its size according to its wearer. It’s comfy and it can keep kids warm. My invention has very beautiful designs too. I hope it can be mass produced in a factory,” writes Chan Xuan Ting, 11.

Florence Chan Zi Hsuan, 8

Eight-year-old Florence Chan Zi Hsuan wants to invent a flying submarine that also functions as a car. “My vehicle can fly in the sky and dive underwater too. There are three coloured buttons on its dashboard. The blue button enables my vehicle to dive into water. This is vital during flooding. The white button is to fly to the sky. The last red button is to turn it into a Ferrari sports car. I hope people will love my invention.”

Lim Sheng Hao, 9

“My invention is a special computer called Smart-Book 1.19. It is made from composite metal foam, which is almost as hard as titanium. It will have an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system. Like Google, its knowledge is infinite. I’d sell it for RM5,000,” writes Lim Sheng Hao, nine.

Asher Wang Qi Chuen, four, loves big vehicles like garbage trucks and construction vehicles. “I would like to invent big vehicles like this with solar panels so that they will use less petrol, emit less smoke and be better for the environment.”

Wong Jie Ern, 6

Wong Jie Ern, six, wants to invent a super bell to keep everyone safe in her home. “The bell works as a scanner and it can detect if an intruder is carrying dangerous weapons or metals. It can stop thieves from trying to steal things in my house.”

Karen Wong Zi Ying, 12, has dreams of inventing a unique bag for students. “This new invention has wings and it will help students carry their heavy bags. Families going on holiday can also use this bag. It can help family members carry their heavy luggage. I hope my special bag can be produced in a factory.”

Karen Wong Zi Ying, 12

“My Talking Robot can interact with its owners. It can cheer people up whenever they are feeling down. My invention is very unique. I hope people will buy it,” says Beatrice Tah, 10.

Beatrice Tah, 10

Find the hidden words!

ITEM: Malaysia Day is celebrated on Sept 16 to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian federation in 1963. This is when Malaya, North Borneo (renamed Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore came together to form Malaysia. Our country is a multicultural nation where Malays, Indians, Chinese and people of other ethnicities live together in peace and harmony. Tell us what you like best about Malaysia. Is it the food, culture, historical landmarks or beaches? Or all of the above?

Email your contributions to [e-mail] by Aug 26.

Please put “STARCHILD: I Love Malaysia” in the subject line of your email. 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 number and address.