Ministry probing claims of SPM leaks

KUALA LUMPUR - The Education Ministry’s Examination Syndicate is investigating claims that Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) questions were leaked to students.

The syndicate said it had received complaints of leaks for the Mathematics and Additional Mathematics papers.

“We immediately started investigations to determine whether these complaints are true.

“Immediate action will also be taken after the investigations are completed,” the syndicate said in a statement.

However, the syndicate did not mention when the investigations would conclude.

It added that there were procedures to ensure that examinations are “carried out with integrity”, such as conducting checks at examination centres throughout the country before and during the examination period.

“We also have a ‘flying squad’ to improve security measures during the examination period, and a task force to receive public complaints and feedback,” said the syndicate.

Education director-general Tan Sri Abd Ghafar Mahmud said students should not panic as the allegations of leaks have yet to be proven.

“Students should focus on their upcoming papers. As of now, it is just a complaint but the ministry is obliged to investigate any complaints received,” he said.

Meanwhile, the seminar where a private tutor was alleged to have leaked exam questions to SPM students is still being held.

A security guard at the hall where the seminar is being held in Setiawangsa said the seminar would be held each morning until the end of the SPM.

A presenter could be heard holding up a set of questions, saying it was “soalan bocor” (leaked questions) to laughter from students in the session on Chemistry.

A student who attended the session told The Star that the seminar was packed, with each student charged RM150.

The student said he had paid for the entire seminar and was there for tips on Chemistry.

According to the SPM timetable, the papers for Science and Physics will be held tomorrow, Chemistry and Additional Science on Tuesday and Biology on Wednesday.

On Friday, a private tutor had accused another of leaking questions to students at a seminar just days before the SPM Additional Mathematics paper was held.

Mohd Husaini Jaslee, 30, said he had lodged a police report on the matter on Thursday after being told of the alleged leak by friends of some of the students who attended the seminar between Oct 25 and Nov 20.