I Never Lied About My Academic Background Says Marzuki

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Deputy Foreign Minister Marzuki Yahya.PETALING JAYA: A deputy minister, who has come under fire over his academic qualifications, today produced a certificate to show that he had obtained a degree from Cambridge International University (CIU)
Deputy Foreign Minister Marzuki Yahya also said he had never portrayed himself as having graduated from the University of Cambridge
He said while there were those who accused him of lying as the information on his Wikipedia page stated he had furthered his studies at the University of Cambridge, the PPBM secretary-general said anyone could have edited the page at any given time
“I have never included any information about my education in Wikipedia, neither did I instruct anyone to do so
“Even when I was asked by the media, I stated clearly that I had obtained my degree from Cambridge International University (CIU) in the United States and not the University of Cambridge (from UK),” he said in a Facebook post
Marzuki also uploaded a picture of his degree in business administration from CIU as well as his academic record
He reiterated that he took a long-distance course in logistics, among others, in 2002 to help broaden his knowledge to expand his business. Marzuki was a CEO for a logistics and shipping company in Penang
“I hope my explanation will clear the air.”Marzuki also said that he was leaving any decision on his position as deputy minister to the prime minister. This followed calls for him to step down
When asked to comment on calls for Marzuki to stop down, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad told reporters in Penang: “There is no decision yet.”Previously, political activist Muhsin Abdul Latheef had lodged a police report after reading a Facebook post questioning the legitimacy of Marzuki’s Cambridge University degree
He said the Facebook post showed the Wikipedia page of the PPBM secretary-general, claiming to have obtained the degree from Cambridge via “long-distance learning”
Marzuki later said he viewed Mushin’s police report as part of a smear campaign by certain parties who are against him, adding that this “kind of mudslinging and baseless accusations” are a given in politics
PPBM Penang stands by MarzukiMeanwhile, Penang PPBM secretary Azahari Aris today said the state leadership fully supported Marzuki, its state party chief
He said they want police to investigate the matter swiftly as it is now a public interest matter
He said all the 11,000 members from 13 divisions in Penang had been giving their full support to Marzuki for his leadership, not just because of his educational background
Azahari said the members are also thankful to Marzuki for forming the state-level PPBM leadership before its admission into Pakatan Harapan
“When people keep asking about integrity, I say we are all political party members. We are not companies. Up till now, no political party has been asking for education background before admitting anyone as a member
“There is no application interview where you are required to bring your diploma or degree before you are accepted
“Members are absorbed into political parties for being able to do work and provide service to the people. This goes for the opposition parties as well,” Azahari said
Azhari said the attack on Marzuki was likely due to “anxious” opposition parties lacking fresh ideas to criticise the ruling parties. - FMT

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