SIXTY-two Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2025 top scorers were rewarded RM13,900 by Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying.
They included 24 students who scored 7As, 12 with 8As, 13 with 9As, one with A+ in nine subjects and 12 with 10As.
The students were from four schools – SMKA Al-Mashoor, St Xavier Institution, SMK Westlands and SMK Perempuan Methodist.
Lim said the incentive was aimed at recognising their hard work while encouraging them to pursue higher education.
She said students who scored 10As in SPM and applied for matriculation would be offered places automatically.
However, education should go beyond academic achievement, she emphasised.
“We want students with integrity, discipline and responsibility, not just good grades,” she said, urging the students to develop critical thinking, digital literacy, communication and adaptability.
Among the top scorers was Lee Jian Song from St Xavier’s Institution who obtained 3A+, 4A, 1A- and 1B.
He said he intensified his revision for Physics and Chemistry five months before the exam, using both guidance from teachers and online resources.
Now pursuing Form Six at Kolej Tingkatan Enam Hutchings, he hopes to further his studies in engineering or a business-related field.
Last year, Jian Song and his junior Jeshurun Chow won the championship in the Coolest Malaysia Project Visual Programming (Secondary Competition) with their coding game, Beam Bouncer.
Another high achiever, Rania Salsabeela from Permatang Pauh, scored 9As in SPM.
A student of SMKA (P) Al-Mashoor since Form One, she stayed in the school hostel in George Town and travelled home twice a month.
Despite being advised to transfer to another religious school in Seberang Perai Utara, which is closer to her home, she chose to remain and has now continued to Form Six at the same school.
She plans to pursue business studies and wants to be an entrepreneur one day.
On a related note, Lim said that RM1.8mil had been approved since 2023 to upgrade schools in Tanjong, covering infrastructure, smart boards and educational programmes.
“Education development remains a priority.
“We will continue to ensure schools receive the support they need,” she said in her speech during the ceremony.
A total RM115,600 was allocated to SMK Westlands in 2023 to improve learning conditions, including RM50,600 for 14 air-conditioning units and RM65,000 for roof insulation, she said.
“SMKA Al-Mashoor faces canteen capacity issues, while SMK Perempuan Methodist requires additional smart boards.
“These needs will be addressed,” she added.
Also present at the event were Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, north-east district Education Department officer Baharuddin Hashim and SMK Westlands principal Suriati Mohd Hussein.
