KUCHING: For one family, lightning struck twice, and it came in the form of perfect scores.
After the results of the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) were released today, Mohd Saufee Muhammad and Sharifah Masniah Wan Masra, the proud parents of Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji (DPAH) Abdillah student, Shahzad Mizuki Mohd Saufee, or affectionately known as Shaza Mizuki, could not contain their joy.
Their second and youngest daughter had followed in the footsteps of her elder sister, Sofea Miyuki, by achieving straight A+ grades in all nine subjects.
The proud father expressed his joy, sharing that both his daughters achieved straight A+ results in consecutive years.
“We are thrilled because both of our daughters, one last year and the other this year, managed to achieve the same outstanding results in their SPM examinations.
“It’s a remarkable accomplishment for our family, and we couldn’t be prouder of the hard work and dedication they have shown.
“We are very, very proud of them both.
“Alhamdulillah, we are grateful for this blessing,” Saufee said, beaming with joy.
The most remarkable thing about Shaza’s journey is not just her academic prowess, but the independence her parents gave her to carve out her own path.
“We never pressured her at all throughout her studies.
“Our approach was simply to encourage and support her, allowing her the freedom to manage her own time, to decide when to study, and when to rest.
“There was no fixed routine, no strict schedule; it was entirely up to her to find her own balance,” he added.
Additionally, Sharifah Masniah shared that her daughter never attended tuition, relying solely on her effort and discipline, a choice that often surprised others, as many assumed she had extra classes.
“Remarkably, she never even attended tuition classes; so, everything she achieved was through her own effort and discipline.
“And we have been getting questions from people who’ve asked us where she went for tuition.
“But the answer was always the same; no tuition. Just herself,” Shaza’s petite mother chuckled.
However, like any student facing the demands of SPM, there were moments of doubt and stress.
Shaza’s mother recalled how, during her mid-year exams, she struggled to cope with the pressure.
“We are grateful for Puan Hasmah, who gave us a lot of advice, and helped Shaza regain her confidence,” Sharifah Masniah shared.
For Shaza, the relief of seeing all A+ on her results slip was overwhelming.
“I feel such an overwhelming sense of relief.
“I could hardly sleep, worried that everyone would compare me to my sister, who also scored straight A+, and the pressure I put on myself was immense.
“I remember praying so hard, asking for the strength and blessing to achieve the same.
“When I finally gathered the courage to check my results, I burst into tears of pure relief and gratitude,” she recalled, describing the emotional weight lifted from her shoulders in that moment.
Shaza’s journey was a solitary one, and it was by choice.
“I study better alone as I don’t really focus well in class or group studies.
“I need a hands-on approach where I work through exercises myself and come to my own conclusions,” she explained.
Her study habits centred on mastering textbooks, completing practice papers, and turning to online platforms for support.
History, for example, was a subject she conquered through memorisation and personalised notes, aided by acronyms and creative techniques to reinforce memory.
While her parents were her backbone, Shaza’s sister, Sofea, was her guide.
“She (Sofea) gave me a lot of advice and promised me a gift if I got straight A+.
“I’m claiming that tonight!” Shaza said with a laugh.
Reflecting on her journey, Shaza had some advice for SPM candidates in 2025, especially those with a shorter preparation time.
“Start as early as you can; don’t wait until it’s too late.
“I only really buckled down in August, and honestly, it was overwhelming trying to catch up with everything at once.
“My biggest advice is simple: just give it a go. Attempt those trial papers, join Telegram groups for extra resources, and most importantly, don’t let setbacks discourage you.
“If I can do it, so can you. Use my story as your motivation!” she added cheerfully.
As Shaza now prepares for the next chapter of her academic journey, her story stands as a testament to the power of trust, self-discipline and family support.
This winning combination turned dreams into reality, twice over.
