THE Parents' Action Group for Education (PAGE) wants the students suspected of being involved in a rape case in Melaka to defer sitting for this year's Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
PAGE chairman Datin Noor Azimah Rahim said this was because rape cases were serious crimes, let alone serial rapes in schools and videotaping them as entertainment.
She said rape was clearly an act of violence and more serious than bullying.
"For PAGE, not all students can be saved. This type of crime is very serious and serious."Maybe they can take the SPM during the re-sit or next year. There's no need to panic this year because they have to face legal action first," she said.
Recently, the media reported that all four students suspected of being involved in the rape of a female student at a secondary school in Alor Gajah were allowed to sit for the SPM examination scheduled to begin on November 3.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek was reported to have said that the decision was made to ensure that the educational aspects of the students involved were not disrupted even though they may have to face legal action by the authorities following the case.
She said that legal action against them was left entirely to the police, while her ministry was focusing on the disciplinary aspects, the school ecosystem as well as emotional and psychosocial support for all parties involved.
Noor Azimah said that currently the question is not just about SPM but whether the current school is safe for all students.
She said that if it were in the United States, such a case could be raised and punished as an adult and not a juvenile case.
"There was a case in Sabah last year, an SPM candidate who smoked in the toilet was immediately expelled from school but could still sit for the SPM.
"But that was a disciplinary misconduct case and not a crime and indeed he could be given the opportunity to take the SPM, it was not a rape case," she said.
Yesterday evening, Education director-general Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said the four students have been expelled but would be allowed to sit for the SPM examinations at a different location.
"They will be permitted to sit for the SPM at a separate location, or under police supervision, if necessary," he told a press conference. – October 14, 2025
