MELAKA: While many students celebrated their excellent SPM 2025 results with their parents, 18-year-old Koh Wei Liang (pic) could only think of his mother far away in Sarawak.
As he received a certificate and RM300 award for 75 outstanding students in Hang Tuah Jaya on Saturday (May 9), Koh knew exactly what he wanted to do with the money – buy his mum a Mothers Day gift.
For Koh, the incentive was more than a reward for scoring 11As. It was a chance to give something back to the person he credits for standing by him throughout his academic journey.
"My mother wanted to be here today but she had to stay back to take care of students at the hostel.
"I wanted to send her a Mother's Day gift earlier but I did not have enough money," he said after a ceremony which was also attended by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim.
Koh said his mother, Wai Siew Chuan, who teaches at a Chinese independent school in Sarawak, had always encouraged him to do well not just in academics but also in sports.
Koh, who represents Melaka in table tennis, is now pursuing post-secondary studies at a polytechnic in Singapore while working part-time as a table tennis coach to cover daily expenses, including rent and meals.
"I don't want to burden my parents because they have already sacrificed so much for me and my younger brother.
"I just want to study hard, work hard and make them proud," he said.
Koh said he managed to buy a bunch of flowers and a cake for his mother.
"It is only a small gift but it comes from the heart," he added.
