Can Malaysia beat Singapore at Innovation?

Right now, Singapore is ranked 5^th in the 2025 Global Innovation Index.

While Malaysia is down in 34^th place – behind such titans of global innovation as Malta, Lithuania and the Czech Republic.

“How can we compete?” you may ask.

The answer is simple – and exciting.

The Singapore System

Innovation in Singapore is brilliant – but flawed.

Primarily a government-led, top-down system, it aims to attract international investment, corporate HQs and global talent.

So, Singapore excels at application, adaptation & commercialisation.

But they’re much, much weaker at developing meaningful, home-grown innovation.

The Magic of Malaysia

Malaysia is massively more innovative than Singapore in this fundamental respect.

Our innovations are mostly bottom-up – driven by entrepreneurs, SMEs and people with passion. There are literally hundreds of Malaysian innovations every year that solve human problems, seize new opportunities and break new ground.

Here are 5 of my favourites right now.

5 Reasons Why Malaysia Can Win

I love these examples, because they’re all innovations that the Singapore ecosystem fails to encourage. Each satisfies real local needs, seizes indigenous opportunities and maximises our unique culture, heritage and natural resources:

1. “Kuno” – Inspired by our Kampungs

Kuno is a sustainable, eco-friendly cooler fridge that requires zero electrical power to keep fruits and vegetables fresh.

Based on the Labu Sayong – the traditional Perak clay pitcher – the clay is crafted with simple, double-wall potting that’s filled with sand and cooled with water.

The result? A unique cooling device that can keep food fresh for the 1.2 billion people around the world who still lack access to electricity. 

2. “WaterPod” – Crafted for our Fishermen

WaterPod is a sustainable desalination pod that converts seawater into drinking water. Designed to meet the needs of the sea nomads of Sandakan, it has the potential to help the massive 1/3 of the world’s population that still lacks access to safe, drinkable water

Its brilliant, self-cleaning solar desalination system purifies seawater through a wick structure that’s inspired by mangrove roots.

3. “Eat. Easy” – Designed for our Amputees

We have around 160,000 amputees in Malaysia, mostly males who’ve experienced complications from diabetes.

‘Eat. Easy’ is a simple plate defender that makes it easier for them to eat with one hand.

This brilliant yet simple invention is crafted from food-grade silicone to make single-handed spooning much easier.

4. The Famous Egg Boiler – Built for our Breakfast

This legendary invention by Hew Ah Kow may be old, but it’s still magic.

It was first designed to ensure perfect eggs for his workmates in a lumber camp in Kelantan.

Originally cooked in an old Ovaltine can, it’s now a simple 4-piece plastic device that cooks precision-boiled eggs.

This 50-year-old innovation still sells in volumes around the world.

5. “UNBLOK” – New Uses for our Palm Waste

UNBLOK is a biodegradable filter made from palm oil waste that cleans out the fat, oil and grease from our drains.

As we know, our wonderful Malaysian cooking uses a lot of oil.

So UNBLOK’s passive filtration system is designed to trap the grease from kitchen wastewater – without electricity or chemicals.

Employing a bio-composite sheet made from our own palm oil fibre, UNBLOK keeps pipes clear with zero waste.

Malaysia: Ideas for LIFE

These are just 5 out of hundreds. And each represents a type of innovation that Singapore rarely delivers.

Because innovation in Singapore is developed to satisfy the desires of global corporates and international investors.

Whereas Malaysian innovations are developed for something much more important: To meet real, human needs. We have the talent, the insights and the ideas. Now it’s time to take on the world.

Article by Chris Jaques, Asia’s #1 Innovation Coach