28/05/2026

THURSDAY | MAY 28, 2026

11

COMMENT by Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim

The A-grade question in SPM ANOTHER year, another round of applause for Malaysia’s SPM top scorers. The headlines beam: “More As, fewer failures!” The minister smiles. Parents celebrate. OECD averages. That is the truth that cannot be hidden. But here is where the discussion gets more interesting – the public observation about MCKK (Malay College Kuala Kangsar) is vital.

THE rapid growth of the internet and digital technology has transformed the way people shop. Online purchasing, once considered as novelty, has now become a routine part of daily life for millions around the world. From groceries and clothing to electronics and services, consumers can buy almost anything with a few clicks. While online purchasing offers many advantages in terms of convenience and accessibility, it also presents several drawbacks that deserve careful consideration. Understanding the pros and cons of online purchasing is essential for making informed consumer choices. One of the most significant advantages of online purchasing is convenience. Consumers can shop at any time of the day without being restricted by store opening hours. This is especially beneficial for busy individuals, working parents or those living in remote areas. Online shopping eliminates the need to travel, find parking or wait in long queues, saving time and effort. Yet, almost on cue, a familiar shadow falls over the celebration. Netizens ask the question that officials dread: If our exam results keep improving, why do we keep sinking in global rankings like Pisa (Programme for International Student Assessment). It is a question that refuses to go away because the answer is uncomfortable. This week, a prominent community leader added his voice to the chorus, pointing to mathematics: Thousands of Malaysian students scoring As in SPM but almost none making a dent in international Maths Olympiads. Something does not add up. Let’s call a spade a spade. When exam scores rise year after year but international benchmark scores stagnate or fall, the most logical explanation is not a sudden genius boom. It is grade compression or, to put it more delicately, a lowering of the examination bar. Education in Malaysia is a deeply sensitive political asset. No government wants to be the one that announces “SPM results decline”. The unspoken pressure – whether institutional or psychological – is to show progress. So papers get predictable, marking schemes become generous and tuition centres reverse-engineer the exams. The result? Thousands of As that mean everything in the university application process but very little in real-world problem-solving. Pisa does not care for our marking schemes; it tests application, reasoning and adaptability – precisely what rote memorisation cannot buy. And there, Malaysia remains below

With home delivery services, products are brought directly to the customer’s doorstep, making the entire process efficient and stress-free. Another major benefit is the wide variety of choices online. Unlike physical stores, which are limited by shelf space, online platforms can offer an extensive range of products from local and international sellers. Consumers can easily compare prices, features and reviews across different websites, allowing them to make informed decisions. This increased competition among sellers often results in lower prices, frequent discounts and special promotions, which can lead to significant cost saving for buyers. Online purchasing also empowers consumers through access to information. Customer reviews, ratings and detailed product descriptions help shoppers evaluate the quality and suitability of items before buying. This transparency can reduce the risk of dissatisfaction and encourage businesses to maintain higher standards. Ask any old boy of MCKK. The truth is that MCKK has never been the top SPM performer nationally. Year after year, other schools – usually urban Chinese or fully residential science schools – dominate the A count. Yet, many wonder why many MCKK old boys run ministries, corporations and even the country. The answer is rather logical: MCKK, for all its colonial elitism, understood a secret that Malaysia’s exam-obsessed system has forgotten: Education is not a race to collect A’s; it is a forge for judgement. At MCKK, the boy who struggles in maths but leads the rugby team learns resilience. The prefect who negotiates between teachers and students learns politics. The debater who loses the state final learns poise. The boarding school environment – with its hierarchies, camaraderie, failures and traditions – builds what psychologists call non-cognitive skills: grit, social intelligence, discipline and integrity. These are the traits that produce leaders in business, government and politics. No SPM paper has ever measured a student’s ability to manage a crisis or persuade a rival. But MCKK, intentionally or not, has been testing those things every single day. That is the problem with our national system. We have built an exam-centric monster that produces thousands of A-scoring students who cannot think critically, cannot collaborate and break down when the exam paper looks unfamiliar. Meanwhile, the schools that dare to prioritise sports, debating, scouting, leadership and the arts are

The thousands of As that mean everything in the university application process means very little in real-world problem solving. – PIC COURTESY OF BBXPRESS

Local businesses, in particular, may find it difficult to survive in an increasingly digital marketplace. On a personal level, excessive online shopping can encourage impulsive buying, as easy access and targeted advertising may lead consumers to spend beyond their means. In conclusion, online purchasing offers undeniable benefits, including convenience, variety, competitive pricing and access to information. However, it also comes with drawbacks, such as security risks, delivery issues, lack of physical inspection and broader economic impacts. As online shopping continues to evolve, consumers must weigh these pros and cons carefully. By practising caution, using reputable platforms and shopping responsibly, individuals can enjoy the advantages of online purchasing while minimising its potential risks. Liong Kam Chong Seremban that impress no one but ourselves. The sad part is that even MCKK is seen departing from its earlier model of education. If the country is serious about using the education system to produce global leaders, the once proven MCKK model should be brought back and replicated in other schools. Centre for STI Policy Studies at UCSI University and is an adjunct professor at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim is affiliated with the Tan Sri Omar

secure payment systems, the risk of hacking and identity theft cannot be completely eliminated. This lack of trust can discourage some consumers, particularly older individuals, from embracing online shopping. Delivery-related problems also pose challenges. Delays, lost packages or damaged goods can occur, especially during peak shopping seasons. In addition, shipping fees may increase the total cost of purchase, sometimes making online shopping less economical than buying from a physical store. Returning items can be complicated and time-consuming, requiring customers to follow strict procedures and wait for refunds, which may take weeks to process. Furthermore, the rise of online purchasing has social and economic implications. Traditional brick-and mortar stores may struggle to compete with large online retailers, leading to store closure and job losses. just sorting by A-count. Imagine a public that laughs at the idea that “more As equals better education”. That day is not here yet but every year as the SPM results are announced and the Pisa results follow like a bucket of cold water, more Malaysians are waking up. The question is no longer, “Why are our SPM As not translating to global success?”; the question is, “How much longer will we pretend that the A is the same as ability?” The secret of MCKK is not that it produces smarter students; it is that it produces more complete ones. Until the rest of Malaysia follows suit, we will keep celebrating exam results

In addition, online shopping platforms often use personalised recommendations, making it easier for consumers to discover products that match their preferences and needs. Despite these advantages, online purchasing has notable disadvantages. One major concern is the inability to physically inspect products before buying. In traditional shopping, customers can touch, try on or test items, ensuring that they meet expectations. Online shoppers, however, must rely on images and descriptions, which may be misleading. As a result, products may arrive damaged, defective or different from what was expected, leading to disappointment and inconvenience. Security and privacy issues are another significant drawback. Online purchasing requires consumers to share personal and financial information, making them vulnerable to cybercrime, data breaches and online fraud. Although many platforms use labelled “weaker academically”. Let us be blunt: Malaysia will never improve its Pisa scores by doubling down on exam drill. The only way up is sideways – to reduce the stakes of SPM, diversify assessment, reward teachers who teach thinking instead of answering techniques, and yes, learn from schools like MCKK that balance intellectual rigour with character development. Imagine a national curriculum where a student’s project work, community service and leadership portfolio matter as much as their maths paper. Imagine universities that interview candidates instead of

Online shopping: When convenience comes at a cost LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com