Consistency, perseverance key to success
SELAYANG: Disability did not stand in the way of excellence for three students who emerged among the nation’s top STPM 2025 achievers, earning national recognition after overcoming challenges that extended far beyond the examination hall.
Visually impaired student Saw Xin En, blind candidate Yeoh Chwen Yih and spastic candidate Nanthini Ramu were among 18 national top performers honoured at the STPM 2025 Outstanding Candidates Award Ceremony yesterday after scoring straight As in four or five subjects.
Saw, who topped the visually impaired category, said students with disabilities should never allow their circumstances to limit their ambitions.
“I don’t think disability is a major obstacle. If we have a strong mindset, we can face challenges and achieve our goals. We are no different from other people,” she said.
She also urged employers and society to provide more opportunities for persons with disabilities.
“Give us a chance to prove ourselves. Many people only see our disabilities and do not realise what we are capable of,” she said.
Meanwhile, Yeoh of SMK St John’s Institution, Kuala Lumpur, who was named the country’s top blind STPM candidate, credited discipline, determination and strong support from teachers and friends for helping him succeed.
Students with visual impairments rely heavily on Braille materials, screen-reading software and assistive technology, he said.
“If teachers wrote something on the board, I would ask my friends to describe it. Sometimes classmates would take photographs of notes, and I would use artificial intelligence tools to scan and convert them into accessible text,” he said.
Yeoh, who hopes to study law, advised future candidates not to be intimidated by the exam.
“STPM is not an easy path, but it is worth it because of the quality of the certificate,” he said.
For Nanthini, who topped the spastic category, the achievement was especially meaningful because it brought joy to her family.
“I am happy because I achieved good results, and I am also happy because my parents are happy,” she said.
Aspiring to become a special education teacher, Nanthini hopes her success will inspire other students with disabilities to pursue their dreams.
“I want students with disabilities to have ambitions, and I hope to see them succeed in life,” she said.
The 18 top achievers received a mock cheque worth RM1,000, a certificate, a plaque and a one-year personal accident protection plan sponsored by Koperasi Co-opbank Pertama Malaysia Bhd.
For the first time, all public universities whose vice-chancellors are members of the Malaysian Examinations Council will also offer undergraduate tuition fee scholarships to the 18 national top achievers.
