In Malaysia, it’s not uncommon for societal divides to emerge based on the type of school one attends—whether government, private, or even Chinese schools. Despite these differences, stories like this remind us of the incredible potential within our diverse education system.
One such story is that of a Form 5 Malay student who recently went viral for achieving an extraordinary feat: earning five top honours at a national Chinese high school in George Town, Penang.
Meet Ahmad Khidir Ahmad Nazri, a shining example of dedication and hard work paying off. The Form 5 student recently went viral after a video captured his proud moment during the graduation ceremony at SMJK Heng Ee on November 23. At just 17 years old, Ahmad Khidir walked onstage to receive multiple accolades, including first place in his class, first place in his year, top scorer awards in Bahasa Melayu and Islamic Studies, the Deputy Head Prefect recognition, and the prestigious Student of the Year Award for his exceptional all-round achievements.
The heartwarming video was shared by his sister, @itsazzahraaa, who expressed her pride in his accomplishments and wished him success in his upcoming Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams. Since being posted, the clip has garnered over 1.5 million views, with netizens across Malaysia applauding his dedication and celebrating his inspiring journey.
Thankful To Everyone Around Him In Achieving This Honour
During his acceptance speech, Ahmad Khidir expressed heartfelt gratitude to his teachers, family, and friends for their unwavering support in helping him achieve this milestone. Reflecting on his five years at the school, he shared how he had learned the values of responsibility and teamwork, emphasizing that hard work and persistence are the true keys to success. He also encouraged his juniors to remember that challenges are only temporary and assured them that perseverance will always lead to positive outcomes.
Speaking to Harian Metro, Ahmad Khidir revealed how touched he was by the overwhelming response his video had received on social media. Many netizens extended prayers and well wishes for his continued success. In return, he expressed his hopes for success not only for himself but also for his fellow SPM candidates and everyone pursuing their dreams.
At his school, Ahmad Khidir shared that there are about 30 Malay students, and the environment is highly competitive, with students striving to excel not only among their peers but also within their own community. During his SPM trials, he achieved impressive results, scoring 7As: Bahasa Melayu (A+), English (A), Islamic Studies (A+), History (A-), Mathematics (A-), Science (A), and Economics (A). He also secured Bs for Accounts and Mandarin. As he prepares for the upcoming SPM, his ultimate goal is to achieve a stellar 9A+.
How Did He End Up Going To A Chinese School In The First Place?
Ahmad Khidir revealed that he had no prior background in Mandarin, but his mother was determined to give him a unique experience among his six siblings by enrolling him in a Chinese-language kindergarten as the youngest child. Initially, he struggled and felt shy speaking Mandarin, even with his neighbours. However, over time, he gained confidence and steadily improved. Through hard work and perseverance, he excelled academically, becoming a top achiever in UPSR and consistently securing first place in his class throughout high school.
Gets Contacted By Local University
After his story went viral, a university representative reached out to his history teacher via TikTok to learn more about him. When his teacher informed him that someone from the university’s admissions department had shown interest, Ahmad Khidir expressed his gratitude for the recognition. However, he emphasized that his primary focus is currently on preparing for his SPM examinations.
Sharing his aspirations, Ahmad Khidir revealed that he hopes to pursue a degree in Human Resources, ideally at Universiti Malaya (UM) or Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).
“I just want to give my best in SPM. Whatever comes after that is a bonus,” he said.
Congratulations, Khidir! What an incredible achievement! May your dedication and hard work inspire students everywhere to aim high, persevere, and strive for excellence in their own journeys.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media & various cross-references for context.
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