When we venture into the working world, it is often a norm for companies to ask to see our certifications and qualifications as part of the screening and interview process. However, these are usually applicable only if you are a potential applicant, and not an employee who has been working faithfully in the company for more than 10 years.
Source: MMO
That’s exactly what happened to Chong Keat Aun, who was a DJ at Ai FM, a local radio station. MMO reports that his employer requested Chong to submit his SPM certificate before renewing his contract.
Considering Chong has already been working for Ai FM for 12 years, he himself thought that was a rather unreasonable request. You’d think the past 12 years of working experience supersedes any school certificate.
Hence, he decided that he did not want to renew his contract as a protest against the company’s request. Apparently, when Chong asked them why they wanted the SPM certificate now, they said that it was the new policy.
Source: Focus Malaysia
“I have been with the radio station for 12 years already, at that time I had joined the radio station using my university certificate… it’s only now that they want me to give SPM certificate. They said the new policy for contract renewal requires SPM certificate,” he said.
Unsatisfied with the answer given, he pressed them further. “I did ask them, why is SPM required, they were also unable to reply, could only say this is new policy. Isn’t this ridiculous? I have worked for 12 years and you didn’t ask (for it), now only you want to get the SPM certificate from me?” he added.
Source: Imgrum
The former DJ for one of RTM’s Chinese language radio station also explained that he wanted to submit his certificate but he had lost the document in a car break-in 20 years ago. Besides, he even tried to contact his Kedah secondary school for a replacement but they did not have his records anymore.
Chong said, “I have to return to my school in Kedah to apply, coincidentally there are no records, and furthermore I have to go to Putrajaya’s Education Ministry to reapply. So I decided to give up renewing the contract.”
Source: Peggy Loh
However, Chong is not bitter about it, as he thanks the radio station whole-heartedly for the past 12 years. “I feel that it is quite remarkable for Ai FM to have accommodated a non-mainstream person like me. They were willing to keep me for 12 years, I, too was rebellious for 12 years,” he said.
We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours!
Also read: Malaysian Who Scored 1A in SPM Ridiculed by Employers, But Now He’s Going For His PhD!
