Kuala lumpur: The 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) written examination commenced nationwide today as scheduled, even in eight states currently affected by floods, following preparedness measures implemented by the Education Ministry, including Ops Payung. A total of 413,372 candidates are sitting for the examination at 3,350 centres across the country. In the capital, 21,585 candidates began their exams at 165 centres.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, in Perlis, flooding affected five examination centres, namely SMK Syed Hussein, SMKA Al-Maad, SMK Dato' Sheikh Ahmad, SMKA Arau, and SMK Raja Puan Muda Tengku Fauziah. Two five-tonne Civil Defence Force (APM) lorries were deployed to transport exam papers, invigilators, and affected candidates. State Education Director Rose Aza Che Arifin said 3,754 candidates are sitting for SPM across 36 centres.

In Kelantan, State Education Director Siti Norina Muhamad reported that 100 of the state's 27,361 candidates were affected by floods. Fifty-six students from SABK Nurul Huda were relocated to SMKA Falahiah, while 15 students from SMK Kutan stayed temporarily in a hostel before being transported by military truck. Another 29 students at PPS centres were moved to school hostels.

In Perak, State Education Director Zulkafli Mohamed Mokhtar noted that 167 out of 31,704 candidates were impacted by floods and landslides. Twenty students from SM Tahfiz Darul Ridzuan, Pangkor, were moved to an alternative centre after their school was declared unsafe.

In Selangor, floods disrupted 118 candidates, and landslides affected another 11, as per state education officials. Three schools were flooded, while seven were converted into PPS centres. A total of 75,489 candidates are sitting for SPM across 502 centres.

In Kedah, approximately 90 flood-affected candidates were relocated to school hostels in Kubang Pasu, Kulim, and Bandar Baharu to ensure they did not miss out on the exams, said State Education Director Abdul Rahim Mat. Seventeen students taking the Visual Arts Paper 1 at SMK Jitra in the morning were relocated to SMK Tanjung Pauh due to rising floodwaters. He mentioned that in total, 30,001 candidates sat for the SPM exams in the state, while 79 examination centres involving 921 candidates had been identified as schools at risk of flooding.

In Penang, only two candidates were affected by floods, according to State Education Director Mohamad Dziaduddin Mat Saad. They are currently sheltered at PPS SK Lahar Yooi and will sit for the exam at SMK Pokok Sena. A total of 20,060 candidates are registered in the state.

In Pahang, State Education Director Ahmad Zamri Md Isa remarked that 21,048 candidates are sitting for the exam at 267 centres. He said 2,400 candidates have been identified as at risk of flood disruption based on past flood records.

In Negeri Sembilan, 17,354 candidates are sitting for SPM at 145 centres today. State Education Director Khalidah Omar said they include two mature candidates aged 60 and 57, as well as 42 pairs of twins, two sets of triplets, and 64 special-needs candidates.

In Melaka, a total of 13,358 candidates began their written exams at 100 centres, including 83 special-needs candidates and four hospitalised students.

In Terengganu, Sarawak, and Johor, State education directors confirmed no exam centres had been affected by flooding. However, 33 examination centres in Terengganu have been identified as being at risk of flooding based on records of flooding incidents. Terengganu has 19,595 candidates; Sarawak, 36,843; and Johor, 49,654. The Johor government is also providing free meals to all candidates through district education offices and schools.