KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) strongly disapproves the “attempts” by politicians to elevate their status by using fake degrees or fake certificates.
In a press statement yesterday, Michael Tiang, a political secretary to the Chief, said this is a serious breach of integrity, therefore, those involved should voluntarily resign from their portfolios.
“We don’t care whether a leader graduated from a university or a professional or not. A certificate from a university or college is not the only criterion for assessing whether a leader can really serve the
people.”
He said a leader holding a portfolio must first have integrity and then seen as capable of serving by bringing progress and development to the community and nation.
On the other hand, he said if they deliberately and knowingly got involved in falsification of their academic qualifications in order to gain acknowledgement or to seek higher positions in public offices, then it is an act of deceiving the government and the people, which would definitely affect the image of our government.
“In view of the fake-degree scandal that involves several of Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal or state cabinet members one after another, we appeal to the Prime Minister Tun Mahathir to immediately verify the integrity of all existing cabinet members.
“Those found to have cheated or previously claimed themselves as professionals in certain fields but actually are not, should go on leave to allow for criminal investigation to be carried out.
“If they are convicted, they should not be a part of the Cabinet to avoid Malaysia’s integrity from being tarnished.
“We hope that the chairman of DAP Sarawak cum chairman of Sarawak PH, together with other members of parliament from Sarawak PH, would immediately propose to the Prime Minister to take stern action,” said Tiang.
