Ministers and politicians with dubious credentials, please understand that it is not your education level that bothers us.
Former deputy prime minister, the late Tun Ghafar Baba, never attended university, yet he is deservedly respected.
What upsets us is that when ministers, politicians, friends and supporters tried to defend the act, it is obviously a misrepresentation of yourselves.
If one can lie to have obtained a degree he does not deserve, and pretend to be something he is not, what claim on integrity does he have?
And what sort of an Orwellian world are we living in when leaders advertise themselves as defenders of freedom of speech but threaten to sue those who dare to question?
In a true democracy, citizens need to be critical and informed in order to choose the best government.
How can we be critical and informed if we are prohibited from questioning our representatives?
We do not need your permission to question and voice our opinions.
The right to voice our views is enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
But wakil rakyat, assemblymen and parliamentarians must explain themselves in whichever way they choose. Just remember, we will be observing and judging.
Some quarters argue that academic qualifications are not important as politicians are chosen for their credibility.
In truth, the people voted them because of a projected image. But when that image is proven false, should we lie to ourselves and continue with the charade?
Should we be content with substandard leaders?
If our nation is to progress, we must learn to accept the truth and demand higher standards.
Remember, we did not even vote for some of these ministers. They lost the election and were appointed senators.
If we must suffer “unelected” ministers, they must at least be truthful about who they are.
Based on the public’s reaction to dubious credentials, it is evident that the rakyat highly values education.
Perhaps, it would be wise and useful to organise a “correctional” camp for politicians so that they understand the value of education. They do not seem to value education as much and are comfortable defending dubious degrees.
They try to convince us that having dubious degrees is not a big deal.
We do not want them to influence our children’s values and principles.
At the end of the day, all the YB (Yang Berhormat) must be comfortable in their own skins. You are what you are. Don’t be a phony. Do your work and deliver what needs to be delivered.
KAMIL AMIR
Petaling Jaya, Selangor