KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — Former education minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin today refuted a claim by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the number of absent SPM candidates in last year’s national examinations.

Mohd Radzi noted that local news reports listed a total of 14,858 students absent from the final school leaving exams and not 30,000 as claimed by the prime minister during a dialogue session with undergraduates in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia yesterday.

Anwar had blamed Mohd Radzi for the high number of SPM student absenteeism post-pandemic for not taking care of them.

"There were only 14,858 students who were absent. Where did Anwar get 30,000?” the Opposition lawmaker questioned in a news conference at Parliament here.

The Bersatu MP for Putrajaya denied neglecting SPM students during his tenure as minister as claimed.

"I asked SPM parents and candidates whether they make it to the exams like whether they have enough money to go to exam halls. I took care of the students during my time,” he said.

He added that education should not be politicised.

"Education is important for our kids. We should never politicise education. That is why I'm staying away from commenting on any initiatives by the current minister.

"Anwar told everyone that when Fadhila Sidek came into the office, only then this type of issue was exposed to the public whereas I did nothing wrong and there's nothing to be said about during my time as minister.

"The massive 30,000 students sounded like a big thing to the public's ears but it's wrong to give away an incorrect number. Let's only talk about facts,” he said.