Education Ministry task force to investigate alleged SPM leaks - Bernama

The Education Ministry will form a task force to investigate reports of leaks in this year's Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Mathematics and Additional Mathematics papers as alleged by the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM).

Its director-general Tan Sri Abdul Ghafar Mahmud said the ministry viewed the matter seriously as it involved its credibility in setting the papers.

"We understand that the association has lodged a police report on the matter. It's important to set up the task force and conduct our own investigation.

"Our investigation will not clash with the police," he said after the School Improvement Trainers (SISC) and School Guidance Partner (SiPartner) programmes in Kota Kinabalu today.

He was commenting on yesterday's media report of PPIM receiving the complaints of three individuals alleging there were leaks in the Mathematics and Additional Mathematics papers in this year's SPM exam.

Abdul Ghafar said all SPM exam papers were printed abroad at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom unlike the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah and Penilaian Menengah Rendah which were printed locally.

He said there was tight security at every stage of the transport procedure from the University of Cambridge to examination centres in Malaysia assisted by the police as well.

"The last time such an allegation was made was in the late 90s, which turned out to be false after being investigated," he said.

Meanwhile, in a statement here today the Examination Board said it has started investigations into the alleged leaks in the SPM papers and will take immediate follow-up action once its completed. - Bernama, November 23, 2013.