In Malaysia, the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) is more than just an exam, it’s a defining academic milestone. Taken at the end of Form 5, SPM results often shape the next chapter of a student’s life, from scholarship opportunities to university placement or entry into the workforce.
For many families, it’s a time of celebration, reflection, and sometimes, humour!
Photo via Facebook (Richard_is_cooking)
One Malaysian father decided to mark the occasion in his own unique way. Instead of focusing solely on his son’s remarkable achievement, he used the moment to look back, and laugh, at his own.
Richard Nyam, a popular cooking content creator from Terengganu, took to Facebook to share a side-by-side photo comparison of his son’s outstanding SPM results with his own rather modest grades from 23 years ago. With a cheeky caption that read “The difference cannot be any greater,” Richard showed his younger self had walked away with a collection of D’s and an E, just scraping through the minimum passing requirement.
Adding to the humour, some netizens pointed out that back in the day, failed subjects weren’t even listed on the certificate, a fact Richard gamely admitted in the comments.
But this wasn’t just a post about poking fun at himself. It was, at its heart, a proud father’s tribute to his son, Zheng Sheng, who aced all 10 subjects in the Science stream, scoring straight A’s, including A+ in Mathematics and Chemistry.
The internet quickly rallied around both father and son. While many congratulated Zheng Sheng for his incredible performance, just as many applauded Richard for raising a bright, hardworking young man. Several comments highlighted that academic success is often a result of a family’s love, support, and yes, sacrifice.
Keputusan SPM Ayah vs Anak...jauh ngat beza haha..
Posted by Richard_is_cooking on Thursday 24 April 2025
As the nation reflects on this year’s SPM results, stories like Richard’s remind us that success comes in many forms. Whether you're a straight-A student, someone who struggled but gave it your best, or a parent who stood by through thick and thin, your journey matters.
To all SPM candidates: no matter your grades, you’ve completed a major milestone. Be proud, and keep going. The best is yet to come.
