KUALA LUMPUR: 2020 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2020 candidates who sat for the Sejarah Paper 2 examination are requesting the authorities to not make them re-take the paper.
The students who spoke to the New Straits Times, on the condition of anonymity, alleged that the paper contained topics that had been leaked.
One student who wanted to be known as Zee said she had wasted one whole year waiting for the SPM examination.
"I was supposed to sit for SPM when I was 17 years old and I am sitting for it now when I am 18. Please do not make me re-sit the Sejarah paper when I turn 19," she appealed.
"I wrote two pages for one of the essay questions only to later find out that it was already making rounds on Whatsapp.
"But, I think we should let bygones be bygones. I am proud that I honestly attempted the paper. So, please don't make me pay for someone else's dishonesty," she said.
Meanwhile, another student, Ahmad, contended that the whole episode was a non-issue as only "a set of tips" went viral instead of the actual questions.
"Only certain topics were highlighted in the list and not the actual question paper. Netizens should stop making a ruckus about this," he said.
Earlier today, a video of a teacher telling his students to focus on several topics for the Sejarah paper was making rounds on social media which sparked public outrage.
Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) president Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said the candidates must be spared from retaking the paper.
However, she stressed that a full investigation must be conducted to root out dishonest individuals who fail to uphold the integrity of the teaching profession.
"We recommend that all students should be passed for this paper. History should not have been a must-pass subject in the first place.
"The last time we had a leak, a full investigation was conducted but no one was charged. As a result, we continue to be plagued by this even worse during the pandemic.
"It reflects poorly on the standard of SPM if it is so easy for security to be breached while the perpetrators get away scot-free.
"This is a time for reflection and not dishonesty. A full investigation should be conducted but spare the disheartened students from a re-sit.
"The teacher(s) and their accomplice should be sacked without pension, fined and jailed as he/she has failed to uphold integrity and teacher professionalism.
"Let it be a lesson to all educators on the importance of honesty and hardwork," she said.