Four students from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) have emerged as national champions at a nationwide Smart ID hackathon, presenting a breakthrough digital solution that reimagines how Malaysians can access public services—securely, privately, and with dignity.

Four bright students from APU’s School of Computing (SoC) formed Team J2CH and rose to the top of Malaysia’s highly competitive GODAMLah! 2.0 Smart ID Hackathon. Outshining 186 teams and 701 students from universities and colleges nationwide, the team clinched the Champion title in the Security Track. 

The team comprised three cybersecurity students—Chye Yan Tong, Hong Rui Yi and Jeniffer Su Kai Li—together with a multimedia in technology student, Joan Yee Jie Ni. Under the mentorship of Ms Chong Mien May, Senior Lecturer at SoC, Team J2CH secured the top prize of RM1,500 for their innovative eligibility verification solution. 

Organised by IKolaxus Sdn Bhd (Kolaxus), GODAMLah! 2.0 was a nationwide hackathon centred on Smart ID, exploring how digital identity can power secure, inclusive and innovative services for Malaysia. Described as “Datasonic’s ultimate hack fest”, the event brought together students, universities and industry partners to build real-world prototypes aligned with Malaysia’s MyDigitalID vision. 

A National Platform for Future-Focused Innovation

Participants competed across three tracks—Inclusivity, Innovation and Security—with only the Top 9 teams advancing to the live Grand Finale at Cyberview, Cyberjaya, on 10 January 2025. Each track awarded RM1,500 for first place, RM1,000 for second and RM500 for third, along with mentorship and national visibility. 

The challenge was clear yet ambitious: to reimagine how a national digital identity could function as a universal login layer, unlocking essential services such as:

• Subsidies and social benefits
• Healthcare access
• Transportation support
• Inclusive digital experiences
   

All solutions had to balance security, inclusivity and innovation—three pillars that align closely with APU’s own educational philosophy. 

Conducted in a hybrid format, the competition required all teams to submit prototypes, pitch decks and digital materials online. From 186 teams in the preliminary round, only 30 progressed to Round Two, and just nine reached the finals. The journey tested not only technical skill, but resilience, clarity of thinking and teamwork under pressure. 

MyLayak: Security with Dignity and Inclusion

In this stringent environment, Team J2CH distinguished themselves with “MyLayak”, a secure and privacy-preserving eligibility verification system powered by their own SET token algorithm. 

MyLayak enables citizens to verify their eligibility for government programmes through kiosks or digital platforms—without revealing personal information or the eligibility rules themselves. The system supports physical ID cards, making it accessible to elderly users and those without smartphones. 

This solution exemplifies APU’s emphasis on building technologies that are not only advanced but humane. By embedding privacy-by-design and zero-trust principles, the students demonstrated how digital transformation can protect dignity while expanding access. 

Explaining the concept, Team Lead Jeniffer Su Kai Li shared, “MyLayak is a zero-trust eligibility platform built around the idea: Stop applying. Start receiving.” 

She added that the system allows citizens to discover what services and subsidies they qualify for—without repeatedly filling in forms or exposing sensitive data. Instead, MyLayak securely verifies eligibility through trusted tools such as MyKad and MyDigitalID. Built with strong security protections, it ensures only authorised users can access results and prevents fake or copied identities, enabling safe use even on shared or public devices. 

From Classroom to National Impact

Reflecting on the victory, Jeniffer said, “Winning the Champion title at GODAMLah! 2.0 is a meaningful experience for our team. It demonstrates our ability to apply the hardcore technical skills developed through academic training at APU to a real-world security challenge.” 

“The project required a strong foundation in secure system architecture, zero-trust principles, authentication mechanisms, cryptography and privacy-by-design—areas directly shaped by APU’s rigorous coursework and hands-on learning approach. We are sincerely grateful to APU for providing the guidance, resources and learning environment that made this achievement possible.” 

This win marks APU’s second consecutive championship in the GODAMLah! series, following an APU team’s triumph at GODAMLah! 1.0 in January 2025. Together, these achievements affirm APU’s standing as a breeding ground for talent in cybersecurity, digital identity and innovation-driven computing. 

Building Future-Ready Graduates

Affirming the team’s growth, Ms Chong Mien May concluded, “The greatest value of external competitions lies beyond technical knowledge. Students develop real-world skills such as communication, confidence and professionalism as they present ideas to judges and industry experts.” 

“They learn to think on their feet, manage time under pressure and work effectively as a team. These experiences nurture leadership and responsibility while providing valuable exposure to peers and professionals. Ultimately, such competitions shape adaptable, confident individuals ready for future challenges.” 

At APU, success is not measured solely by academic excellence but by the ability to translate knowledge into meaningful impact. Team J2CH’s victory reflects the University’s commitment to nurturing future-ready graduates—innovators who can secure digital systems, design inclusively, and build technologies that serve society with integrity.