Fredoline (centre) receives a congratulatory kiss from her mother Jennifer Peru while her father Felix Den Anthony Paru looks on. – Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING (July 18): Limited internet access, academic setbacks and strong self-discipline did not stand in the way of several Sarawak students who achieved a perfect 4.00 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in the 2025 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination.

The high achievers received their certificates of excellence at the state-level STPM 2025 Results Announcement and Appreciation Ceremony held at SMK Tun Abang Haji Openg here.

They shared stories of perseverance, family support and determination despite coming from diverse backgrounds.

Among them was Lun Bawang student Fredoline Rinai Felix Den from Kampung Gaya, Lawas, who said limited internet access was one of her biggest challenges throughout her Form Six journey at SMK Merapok.

“The internet access is very limited, which makes it difficult for us to get information,” she said, adding that she often relied on home Wi-Fi and occasional trips to town to access study materials.

Fredoline said she also faced moments of self-doubt, especially after early examination results, but was encouraged by her family to keep pushing forward.

“There were times I felt like giving up, but my mother and family always told me, ‘you can do it’,” she said.

Inspired by her siblings’ academic achievements and her parents, both educators, Fredoline learned to balance her time between school, studies and family responsibilities.

She now hopes to pursue a Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) programme at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).

Also achieving a perfect CGPA was Muhammad Amzarul Fikri Salleh of SMK Spaoh in Betong, who described his success as a personal turnaround after struggling academically during the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

He said Form Six was initially a period of doubt, but encouragement from his teachers and parents helped him regain focus.

“I studied long hours and did not attend any tuition classes.

“My teachers and parents kept supporting me, and I wanted to prove I could do it,” he said.

Muhammad Amzarul shares a heartfelt moment with his father Salleh Ismail after receiving his STPM 2025 results. – Photo by Chimon Upon

Muhammad Amzarul, who aspires to pursue History, said his achievement was especially meaningful as he had once been on the verge of giving up.

For Wong Su Ching of SMK Green Road, discipline and consistency were key to her success.

“A month before the exam, I studied about eight hours every day.

“There is no secret to success except hard work,” she said.

The youngest of four siblings said she was motivated by her desire to make her parents proud.

Wong hopes to pursue accounting at a local university, possibly Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak or Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).

Wong (front) poses for a ‘wefie’ with schoolmates from SMK Green Road. – Photo by Chimon Upon

Meanwhile, Connie Ling Siew Jin of SMK Sacred Heart, Sibu, credited her teachers for their continuous guidance as well as her own self-discipline in revision.

“I always listened in class and did my own revision.

“I feel very happy and proud to achieve this result,” she said, adding that she is interested in pursuing accounting at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

Ling poses with her certificate of excellence. – Photo by Chimon Upon

Despite coming from different backgrounds, all four students shared a common message: that success is not defined by location or circumstance, but by discipline, perseverance and belief in oneself.

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