Fire Dept flies three Orang Asli students to school for SPM exam

By: Patrick Beech

Three Orang Asli students were flown in a Fire and Rescue Services Department helicopter to sit for their SPM exams recently.

The trio - Mohd Rizal Buang, said that Norfaizal Selamat, Jefzulkiflie Addy, and Christie Maurinissca Clay, all aged 18 from the Orang Asli Jakun tribe, were flown from Kampung Orang Asli Punan to SMK Nitar in Mersing, Johor.

They were taken on board the Agusta Westland AW189 helicopter.

Johor fire and rescue department's acting director, Mohd Rizal Buang, said  the three candidates were supposed to sit for their science practical test on Jan 30 but it had to be postponed as the road connecting to their settlement area was still flooded.

"However, after consideration, the school agreed to let the three candidates sit for their papers today. They will be staying at the school hostel throughout the examination period," he said.

According to the Education Ministry, a total of 403,637 candidates will be taking the 2022 SPM examination, which will run from Jan 30 to March 15th and include practical science tests, speaking, listening, and written tests.