CSMU Medical Degree De-Recognition Not An Ethnic Issue, Says PM

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The government's decision to de-recognise the medical degree from the Crimea State Medical University (CSMU) in Ukraine is not an ethnic discrimination issue, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Wednesday.
"There is no such intention at all from any party involved in making the decision to be influenced by ethnic considerations," the prime minister said when commenting on the cabinet's decision to endorse the decision of the Malaysian Medical Council to de-recognise the medical degree from the university.
"Students affected by the decision are Malaysian students of all races -- Indians, Malays and also Chinese...they will together face the difficulties," he told reporters after visiting the Malaysian Integrity Institute.
In announcing the cabinet's decision in Putrajaya today, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the de-recognition would not affect 247 Malaysian students currently taking pre-medical course at the university.
Abdullah said the government decided to allow the students to continue their studies until their graduate with a medical degree.
"Those who are in the preparatory level, we will allow them to continue till they complete their degree.
"To the others, including those who have just applied, we have decided not to allow them to go ahead with their plans," he said.
Meanwhile, MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said he was happy with the Cabinet's decision.
He thanked the Prime Minister, his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, and his Cabinet colleagues for agreeing to MIC's request to allow the 247 pre-medical students who are already at the CSMU to continue their studies.
The Works Minister agreed with the Prime Minister that there was no racial discrimination in the MMC's decision to withdraw the recognition.
"The MIC has never perceived the matter as a racial issue," he added.