Johor education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said metal detectors were already in use at all 372 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination centres in the state, to strengthen the integrity and safety of the examination process, Bernama reported.

He said this was to ensure that candidates do not bring prohibited devices or items into the examination hall, in line with technological developments that allow for covert recordings or communication.

“All examination centres have these metal detectors for screening purposes to prevent prohibited items from being brought into these places,” he said after visiting SMK Sultan Ismail here on the first day of the SPM examination today.

He said every examination centre had been supplied with a metal detector by the state education department to ensure uniformity in the state-wide implementation.

He also said the state government and education department had come up with comprehensive plans to ensure that the SPM examination process is not affected by bad weather or floods.

He said a total of 49,654 SPM candidates in the state, including government and private schools, Mara Junior Science Colleges and private candidates, were sitting for the examination, with all 373 exam centres operating as normal.