Gerakan: Ministers must provide proof of qualifications

GEORGE TOWN: Reveal the actual qualifications of all ministers to win back the people’s trust, Gerakan told the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.

Its deputy president, Oh Tong Keong, said people were questioning the federal government since the revelation about an alleged fake certificate possessed by Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Marzuki Yahya.

He said all ministers must detail their biodata and with proof, especially their educational backgrounds, like what they did when declaring their assets.

“Even though this is not a must for them, since this issue has been brought up, they should do so.

“They must not only write it down but also provide proof. Then an agency should verify all the documents attached.

“Only then can this PH government be said to be an accountable and responsible government,” he said.

Previously, a political activist had made three police reports against Marzuki for allegedly possessing a fake degree.

Others who were alleged to have lied about their academic qualification were Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian.

Zuraida had denied that she claimed to be a National University of Singapore graduate while Osman remained tightlipped till today.

Oh said a layman was scrutinised about his income when applying for the Cost of Living Aid, hence ministers should be subject to the same scrutiny with regard to academic qualifications.

He urged Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed to intervene and sack the ministers if they were found to possess fake certificates.

“The people have to go through so many hurdles to receive aid but these people can lie and become ministers. This is unfair.”

Even though this is not a must for them, since this issue has been brought up, they should do so. They must not only write it down but also provide proof.

OH TONG KEONG

Gerakan deputy president