SHE is Penang's top scorer in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Malaysia's equivalent of the Olevels) bagging 13 As.
But Edwina Tang's happiness was short-lived.
In just four weeks, the 17-year-old girl's elation turned into major disappointment when she was not awarded a government scholarship to study in a university.
Edwina was hoping to study medicine on the scholarship, which allows recipients to study disciplines of their choice at the world's leading universities.
The result was all the more puzzling for Edwina's family as it was reported on Sunday that Malaysia had, for the first time, opted for merit and did away with race quotas for scholarships awarded to the top 30 SPM students.
The change was in line with Prime Minister Najib Razak's New Economic Model, which was unveiled on March 30 and aims to revamp the 39-year-old pro-Malay policy to make it more market-friendly, meritocratic and transparent.
The recipients consisted of 15 Malays, 13 Chinese and two Indians.
The students did not have to apply for the scholarships as the grants were given to the top 30 students based on the Education Ministry's compilation of the SPM results.
Edwina's mother, Madam Lin Fengming, has asked Member of Parliament Chong Eng for help as the family's income is low.
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