Explanations needed but not important if degrees are not from accredited universities, says Khalid

PUTRAJAYA: Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad said that doubts over politicians' education credentials need explaining but it was not a very important issue should they not be from accredited universities.

He said this was because there were many universities that did not receive accreditation in 2005 or prior to that.

Khalid was asked to comment on questions about the education credentials of Pakatan Harapan politicians after launching Putrajaya Park’s Day at Padang Semarak, Putrajaya Wetlands here Sunday (Feb 10).

“What’s important is that those entrusted to lead, fulfil their responsibilities with honesty and to the best of their abilities," he said.

Several Pakatan Harapan politicians have had their education credentials questioned recently, the latest being Housing and Local Government minister Zuraida Kamarudin after a Twitter user claimed he could not find her name on the National University of Singapore’s online degree verification portal.

Zuraida, however, said she never claimed or held herself to be a graduate of NUS and had never authorised anyone else to do so.