KUALA LUMPUR – A Perdana Fellowship participant who went viral for having inconsistent academic achievements, has been removed from the programme.
The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) confirmed that one of the member’s achievements had been falsified, leading to the termination of his fellowship for breaching the programme’s agreement terms.
“The public university student listed several achievements during the application for the Perdana Fellowship programme.
“For one of the achievements listed, it was found that the certificate presented was not authentic after further checking with the organiser.
“Therefore, he will be terminated from participating in the Perdana Fellowship programme for violating the terms of its agreement,” it said in a statement.
KBS added that the intake of all fellows is decided through procedures set by the Youth and Sports Department and security screenings by the Chief Government Security Office (CGSO).
Nevertheless, the ministry said it will conduct an investigation to ensure that the programme’s implementation is strengthened in the future, and additionally offer counselling sessions for the fellow.
A Universiti Malaya (UM) graduate, Muhammad Azhar, initially became the subject of public scrutiny due to contradictory details in his education and achievements prior to his fellowship.
Following the viral revelation, the programme’s alumni association expressed “deep concern” and submitted an official letter to the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
The fellowship programme has produced 763 fellows since its inception in 2013. – September 13, 2023