Malaysia's Deputy Foreign Minister Marzuki Yahya obtained a degree from a university named Cambridge.

However, that sentence proved far more confusing than it had any right to be.

Controversy over university credentials

The controversy over Marzuki's credentials began after a Facebook post began circulating on Feb. 3.

Marzuki is a member of the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, or the Malaysia United Indigenous Party, which is part of the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition.

The post questioned Marzuki's claim that he had participated in a distance-learning programme in business administration, as the University of Cambridge apparently does not offer such a programme.

According to the Malay Mail Online, Malaysian activist Muhsin Abdul Latheef lodged a police report over the claim in the Facebook post.

Initially, Marzuki brushed aside the claim.

On Feb. 5, he said it was a "political game", and said he would produce proof of his credentials.

"I will prove it, no problem," he said.

The truth at last

On Feb. 6, Marzuki kind of proved it.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Marzuki said that he had perhaps been misunderstood. Said Marzuki:

"I think [my critics] misunderstood [my credentials]. I [studied] at the Cambridge International University in the U.S.

I was doing logistics [before joining politics]. So I just took that certificate for my knowledge to expand my business. As CEO of the company, I want to expand my knowledge and my business."

Not accredited

There are a number of different institutions bearing the name "Cambridge International" that can be searched for online, including ones that are based in Spain and South Africa.

The website for one such Cambridge International University, that is based in the U.S., claims that its distance learning program is not accredited by the U.S. Department of Education:

"CIU’s Distance Learning Programs are unique, non-traditional and not accredited by the U.S. Department of Education."

It is not confirmed if this was the same institution where Marzuki received his degree.

Marzuki said Malaysia "will not admit defeat" on the water issue with Singapore

Singaporeans may be familiar with Marzuki.

On Oct. 31, he said that Malaysia "will not admit defeat" on the water issue.

Speaking in Parliament, he said:

"The government is very committed and remains firm on its stance regarding the water issue and we will not admit defeat.

We will continue with our efforts to discuss and negotiate. For the information of this House, on November 12, 2018 the prime minister will be visiting Singapore.

And perhaps the water price will be one of the issues he will discuss with them."

However, Singapore has always maintained that the Water Agreement between Malaysia and Singapore is tied to sovereignty and cannot be altered on a unilateral basis.

Said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in July 2018:

"The 1962 Water Agreement was guaranteed by both Malaysia and Singapore.

This guarantee was in the 1965 Separation Agreement, which in turn was registered with the United Nations.

Any breach of the 1962 Water Agreement would call into question the Separation Agreement, which is the basis for Singapore’s very existence as an independent sovereign state."

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Top image adapted from Marzuki Yahya and University of Cambridge's Facebook pages.