‘Take stern action against staff using fake degrees’

PETALING JAYA: Bosses are calling for stern action against staff who secured their posts using fake degrees while professional bodies say there are enough measures to ensure that everyone is truly qualified.

Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan called for immediate action against those who bought qualifications from fake degree mills.

“It is disturbing to learn about such news. The government needs to act fast and nail down the culprits. They should be charged and hopefully, those found guilty will be punished.

“Businesses should check the qualifications of their staff properly and those found guilty must be punished.

“The punishment should not be less than a dismissal,” he said.

According to Malaysian Academic Movement secretary-general Rosli H. Mahat, it is unfortunate that some Malaysians continue to look down on those without high paper qualifications, resulting in a demand for fake degrees.

Employers, said Rosli, must do their due diligence and conduct background checks if they suspect their employee’s qualification to be fake.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the Malaysian Medical Council has stringent processes to ensure that only genuine degrees are accepted before any medical graduate could be registered as a medical practitioner.

The Institution of Engineers said all engineers in Malaysia are required by the Registration of Engineers Act to register with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM).