Exam Syndicate duo cleared over UPSR leaks, says minister

Examinations Syndicate director Dr Na'imah Ishak (right) with Education Minister II Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh in September 2014. Na'imah and deputy director of operations Dr Wan Ilias Wan Salleh had been reassigned after the UPSR exam paper leaks. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, January 27, 2015.

The two senior Examinations Syndicate officials who were reassigned last September over the UPSR exam paper leaks have been cleared of wrongdoing, Education Minister II Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said today.

The minister said the duo, Examinations Syndicate director Dr Na'imah Ishak and deputy director of operations Dr Wan Ilias Wan Salleh, were still in service although not in their previous portfolios.

"They have been cleared of any wrongdoing, they are free, but they are not in their previous portfolios," Idris said.

This follows leaks that were discovered last year in at least four UPSR examination papers, affecting some half a million Year Six pupils who were forced to retake the papers.

The UPSR examination was held between September 9 and 11. Due to the leaks, pupils had to re-sit the Science, Mathematics and English and Tamil language papers.

Pupils had sat for the Science and English papers on September 30, and the Mathematics and Tamil language papers on October 9.

Following the UPSR leaks, police recorded statements from eight officers from the syndicate, 19 teachers, an officer from the Education Ministry, a journalist and an engineer.

In the process, 14 people were detained but later freed on police bail. Four teachers were later charged with leaking the papers.

- TMI