“THERE is always a place for you in Penang. Come back to Penang not only to be with parents but also to serve Penang in the field most suitable for you.”
With this heartfelt call, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow inspired 146 outstanding Indian students honoured for their stellar Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2025 results at an appreciation ceremony organised by the Penang Hindu Endowment Board at the Ramakrishna Ashrama Hall here today.
Chow said the students’ success had not only brought pride to their families and schools but had also strengthened Penang’s standing on the national education stage.
The cohort included 10 students who scored 11As, nine students with 10As, 51 students with 9As, 33 students with 8As and 42 students who achieved 7As, reflecting a strong showing across the board.
“Today, we celebrate the achievements of 146 outstanding students who have demonstrated remarkable performance in SPM 2025.
“This success proves that with hard work, discipline and strong support from parents and teachers, excellence can be achieved,” he said.
In recognition of their achievements, students who scored 11As received RM500 each, those with 10As received RM400 each, students with 9As received RM350 each, students with 8As received RM250 each, while those with 7As received RM200 each. A Best Student Award worth RM1,000 was also presented as the highest recognition.
The chief minister reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to education under the Penang2030 vision, stressing that no student or school should be left behind in the digital and academic transformation.
He highlighted the annual RM2.42 million allocation channelled through the State Tamil Schools Special Committee to empower 28 Tamil primary schools across Penang, including RM768,901 distributed to parent-teacher associations to ensure safe and conducive learning environments.
Chow added that support now extends beyond basic maintenance to include computer laboratories, ICT facilities and maker labs aimed at nurturing STEM education and digital literacy from an early age.
He urged students to treat their SPM success as a stepping stone to higher achievements and to develop leadership, integrity and a strong spirit of unity.
Meanwhile, PHEB chairman RSN Rayer said nearly RM50,000 had been spent on incentives for the programme, describing education as the most meaningful investment for the community’s future.
“To date, the Penang Hindu Endowment Board has spent RM1.29 million on welfare and education, benefiting 1,712 Hindus in Penang,” he said, adding that over the past three years, the board had also undertaken major development and welfare projects, including the upgrading of the Waterfall Ganesha Temple costing nearly RM1.2 million, improvements to the Kunj Bihari Temple worth about RM500,000 and refurbishment works for its only hall on the mainland costing about RM700,000.
He noted that the board’s annual operating cost alone reaches nearly RM1.5 million and expressed hope that its annual allocation would be increased in the future to support expanding initiatives.
Rayer reminded students to remember the sacrifices behind their achievements.
“You must never think you succeeded alone. Always remember the role of mother, father and teachers who guided you to this moment,” he said.
The ceremony ended on an uplifting note, with both leaders expressing hope that the annual recognition programme will continue inspiring students to pursue excellence and contribute to Penang’s future.
Also present earlier were state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, PHEB deputy chairman Senator Dr A. Lingeshwaran, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, and PHEB secretary Dr Vishantini Kanasan.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhammad Iqbal Hamdan
Video by Law Suun Ting