Earlier this week (4th February), political activist Muhsin Abdul Latheef lodged a police report against Deputy Foreign Minister and Penang chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) Marzuki Yahya, stating that he did not possess a degree from the prestigious Cambridge University as the minister previously claimed, according to Free Malaysia Today.
In light of this news, Marzuki stated on Tuesday (5th February) that the police report was just a political game and did not want to comment on the matter, according to Bernama.
Source: Astro Awani
The Star reported that the Deputy Foreign Minister previously claimed he did a distance-learning course and earned a Business Administration degree from the University of Cambridge. A police report was filed against him after Muhsin Abdul Latheef claimed he found substantial evidence, saying that the UK institution does not offer a distance-learning course for the degree in question.
It was just revealed yesterday (6th February) that the deputy minister actually meant another Cambridge University — Cambridge International University in the United States.
He told Malaysiakini,
“I think they (my critics) misunderstood (my credentials). I (studied) at the Cambridge International University in the US. I was doing logistics (before joining politics). So I just took that certificate for my knowledge to expand my business.”
“As CEO of the company, I want to expand my knowledge and my business.”
Source: Malaysiakini
The US-based Cambridge International University reportedly has no connection with the prestigious UK institution, and only provides distance learning programmes, offering degree courses for just USD$5,000 (approx. RM20,000), and payments can be made through PayPal.
However, this university is also not accredited by an accrediting agency recognised by the United States Secretary of Education.
According to education portal, StudyPortals, Cambridge International University was listed as an example of a “diploma mill”, which is a type of education scam, tricking students into thinking they are getting a degree from a reputable university. The formal definition of a diploma mill is “an internationally accepted term for any type of person or organisation that sells diplomas and academic degrees purely to make a profit and without requiring any serious academic achievement or study.”
What are your thoughts on this latest development? Let us know in the comments below.
Also read: Law Grad Uses Microsoft Paint to Forge Degree Results, Gets Fined RM45,000 & Struck Off
