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KULAI — Johor chief minister Datuk Osman Sapian has refused to respond to allegations that he did not actually hold an accounting degree from a local university.
The Johor Pakatan Harapan chairman only smiled to reporters who approached him after a Chinese New Year function in Kulai on Saturday (Feb 9) and asked him to comment on the allegations which have gone viral on social media.
Osman immediately left the function, an open house and charity donation ceremony held at the Taman Putri multipurpose hall in conjunction with Chinese New Year.
Social media had been abuzz with claims that Osman’s degree from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in fact did not exist, with the allegations coming to light after someone purportedly conducted online checks with the university.
At the same function, Johor PKR chairman Hassan Karim said the recent allegations of fake academic qualifications held by several PH leaders have tarnished the image of the coalition.
He said PH had put in reforms and improved integrity in the country, in creating a new society as part of its struggles.
He said the coalition had also made a lot of accusations against the previous government.
“Therefore, we must be a good example. If not, then we would have failed,” he said.
Hassan was commenting on recent allegations against several PH leaders including Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Marzuki Yahya and Osman that they possessed fake degrees.
He said, in the legal standpoint, it was up to the accusers to prove their allegations, not the accused.
“However, it is better for the accused to come forward and make an explanation. As public figures, there is nothing private for them anymore and the public has the right to scrutinise them,” said Hassan.
The Johor Umno Youth has also urged Osman to show proof of his degree from Universiti Putra Malaysia.
“If he fails to do so, we want him to admit that he had betrayed and lied to the people of Johor, and resign as the menteri besar (chief minister),” its information chief Johan Azam Mohd Yasin said in a statement on Saturday.
He said falsifying a degree or academic qualifications was an offence committed only by those who have no integrity, not by an elected representative.
“How can a menteri besar who lies about his academic qualification ask the people to respect him and to see him as someone with credibility?
“It is shameful for a menteri besar not to be honest with himself and the people, and be willing to do such a despicable act,” said Johan. NEW STRAITS TIMES
https://www.todayonline.com/world/j...apian-refuses-respond-fake-degree-allegations
