Students from 10 schools received a total of RM39,910
Dhia Irdina Maisarah Malik Faisal’s former classmates were surprised, to say the least, when she turned up in a wheelchair for the Subang Jaya Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) excellent students award ceremony.
“My foot was injured after a workplace mishap and I was advised by the doctor to rest for about two weeks,” said the 18-year-old, who was accompanied by her mother, Kertina Mohd Kadir.
“But I couldn’t miss the award ceremony as it was also an opportunity to meet up with my friends,” said Dhia Irdina.
She is working full-time at an international coffee chain while waiting for university placement to pursue a Diploma in Mass Communications.
The former SMK Seafield student, who scored 7As in SPM, said she hoped to pursue a career as a broadcast journalist or newscaster.
She was among the SPM top scorers from the state constituency who received tokens of appreciation from Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng in recognition of their excellent results.
Ng’s office gifted RM39,910 to 297 students from 10 secondary schools who achieved 6As and above in their SPM exams between 2023 and 2025.
Those who scored 6As received RM80 each, RM100 for 7As, RM120 for 8As, RM150 for 9As and RM200 for 10As and above.
The event, held at Subang Parade, also saw Ng having a short dialogue session where she answered questions posed by the young people in attendance.
In addition to sharing her experience as an elected representative and measures planned to enhance mental health, Ng encouraged those interested in volunteering and contributing to youth empowerment to sign up for the Penggerak Belia Selangor (PeBS) programme.
Thurgeswaran Ganasan, 19, had his hands full, being both an award recipient and organising the ceremony as part of the Subang Jaya PeBS committee.
“My SPM experience was unique – I took seven out of nine subject papers in hospital,” said Thurgeswaran, adding that Bahasa Malaysia and Chemistry were the only papers he took in school.
“I was admitted to hospital twice – first for severe diarrhoea due to typhoid, and again when I experienced complications during my treatment.
“My mother made arrangements with my school for me to take my exam in hospital.
“While I was kept in a normal ward during my hospitalisation, I sat for my exam papers in an isolation room,” said Thurgeswaran.
The SMK USJ4 alumnus, who scored 9As for SPM 2025, said it was a lonely and painful experience for him, as he could not join his schoolmates in the exam hall and had to endure pain from the medical complications.
Thurgeswaran has since recovered and is now pursuing a Foundation in Science programme at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; he is eyeing a medical career.
“I have been volunteering with Ng’s office since I was 15, and joined PeBS when I was 18.
“The impact of volunteering and community work is what motivates me. Since I am unable to contribute financially, community work allows me to serve in other ways,” he said.
“PeBS also offers a platform for me to learn about youth development efforts at the state level.”
Thurgeswaran cited his mother, Navamalar Naggappan, 44, a lawyer and one of Ng’s special assistants, as his inspiration.
Both his mother and grandmother, Panchavernam Samydavam, 76, were present at the ceremony.
