KUCHING, Feb 11: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said the resignation of ministers or deputy ministers with “fake academic degrees” does not depend on Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad.
“The question of resignation doesn’t lie with the prime minister. It is a matter of personal integrity and conscience.
“If your conscience and integrity are involved and under threat, you make the decision. It is not for the prime minister to decide on your behalf,” said Masing, who is also Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, in a statement yesterday.
Masing was responding to this issue involving Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Marzuki Yahya, who has come under criticisms over his academic qualifications.
Marzuki, in a social media post, said he never declared himself to be graduate of the University of Cambridge.
He asserted that, even when asked, he had clearly stated that his degree is from Cambridge International University in the United States and not from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
On calls for him to step down as deputy minister, Marzuki said he leaves it to Dr Mahathir.
Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, said faking one’s qualification is a serious matter.
“The current news on fake degrees is a serious a matter, especially if it concerns YBs (the honourable elected representatives).
“If he or she lies on this matter, how do we know he or she doesn’t or will not lie again in the future?”
Apart from Marzuki, the academic credentials of other Pakatan Harapan deputy ministers and ministers are also now in the spotlight, including that of Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng. — DayakDaily
