Yoursay: Johor MB’s apology over ‘degree’ too little too late?

YOURSAY | ‘The point has always been about integrity, not academic qualifications.’

Johor MB: Sorry, I never completed my studies

Kee Thuan Chye: Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian’s apology over not completing his studies at Kolej Pertanian Malaya, the predecessor of Universiti Putra Malaysia, is not enough.

Osman tried to evade the issue when asked earlier. He just smiled, no doubt hoping the issue would be forgotten. It still amounts to deception.

He should resign. That's the honourable thing to do. How can he be trusted with state matters now?

Cogito Ergo Sum: It is pathetic that Pakatan Harapan politicians are now reeling under the scrutiny of just their academic qualifications. To keep silent about your lack of an academic degree, and let everyone think you have one, is nothing short of fraud.

When the rakyat voted Harapan in, it was on the platform that we were holding them to a higher degree of integrity. This is not what we voted for. They are a bigger fraud than the previous regime, who we at least knew were cheats.

Did not expect this from Harapan. The Johor menteri besar must go.

Shovelnose: If Osman had no common decency to clear this matter up at the first opportunity before standing for public office, how many of his actions or what he says from here on in will be believable? He has just burned the bridge before even setting foot on it.

WSOI: Many question marks arise from the Johor menteri besar’s confession. It would be interesting to know why he did not complete his studies.

Quigonbond: The Johor government's website previously showed that Osman had a degree and diploma in accounting from UPM.

Come on, Osman, you expect us to believe that something was put up on the state government website without proper verification and clearance?

Which investor is going to trust what Johor government puts up on its website now?

Chrysḗ Chersónēsos: Good. If I have to choose between a liar with genuine PhD or an honest, pragmatic and street-smart SPM holder, I will choose the latter. It is not all about paper qualifications.

Sugar Glider: The point has always been about integrity, not academic qualifications. You don’t need a university degree to be a leader, but you do need integrity.

If you can lie about having earned a degree, how can others trust what you will say in the future? A good leader does not deceive his followers.

Anonymous 2319461440035118: It is not surprising that a lot of leaders, civil servants and corporate leaders stand to claim that they have degrees from prominent universities.

When they claim, who would dare to dispute their claim? So it goes on and on, especially when what they claim comes along with benefits of position, promotion and business privileges.

These people would not feel ashamed, but when exposed, all they say is they didn't claim to have the degrees.

In Malaysian politics, it is still who you know that gets things done in your favour. Although Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Harapan government say that there will be no favours, the reality seems to be that favouritism is being carried out behind closed doors.

Wira: Work rate, passion and the capacity to learn and improve is more important than paper qualifications.

Takung: @Wira Isn’t integrity more important?

Cocomomo: No degree, no problem. The ability to serve is more important. However, there should be no compromise on integrity.

The Wakandan: To apologise and admit guilt is a hard thing to do, but it is the most honourable. The more sincere the apology, the more honourable it is.

Most people are reasonable, and would be quite content to accept an apology, remembering that no crime was committed and that it was a matter of ethical integrity.

There is probably much to be said now that we know he is not a graduate, but having a tertiary education is not a measure of one’s greatness in life. Lots of geniuses do not have university degrees either. Let’s move on, no point in crucifying this man any further on this issue.

He is still to be judged though on other matters, but hopefully after the humbling, he would be the wiser.

Jasmine: He has apologised. Yes, that’s an honourable thing to do. But in the same breath, to claim that all along, he was not aware of what the Johor government’s website listed about his tertiary qualifications, is not so decent. It diminishes his apology.

He had been there in the state government under Umno for quite a while. Nevertheless, his real test of integrity and honesty has just begun, as the state menteri besar. So let’s give him this chance that he so badly wants.

Vijay47: This is not a capital offence. He has admitted his ‘mistake’ and has apologised. Unlike others, he did not make a big song and dance about it, he did not try and justify the issue. That should be the end of the matter, bye bye.

STTK: It is wrong. But then again, having a degree does not guarantee a good politician, just look around in Malaysia and we will find plenty of them. We need more politicians with integrity rather than paper qualifications.

At least he knows how to apologise, which is rare in Malaysian politics, so that's a plus point. Too much arrogance and too few apologies in Malaysian politics.

So for now, let's judge him by his performance, especially ‘cleanliness,’ rather than degree.

Clever Voter: It is commendable of Osman to say sorry, unlike others.

While paper qualifications help, they are no guarantee to honesty and integrity. It's all about upbringing and the exposure to right values and behaviours.

Fairplayer: Many non-graduates are a lot smarter than many graduates. Why? A lot of bright non-graduates were victims of the racial quota system.

Anonymous_1529214566: Most Malaysians would accept the apology subject to sincere desire to help the nation and Johor.

Anonymous 770241447347646: It is a good place to start. Let us hope from now onwards let us have more honesty and integrity in running the nation.

They say let the man who had not sinned cast the first stone. Nobody is perfect. We all have told lies to cover up our weaknesses.

Let us move forward, and four years from now will decide about the menteri besar’s report card on his efforts to develop the state.

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