Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's recent honorary doctorate was awarded based on merit and has nothing to do with its project with the Ministry of Education, the awarding academy reportedly said.

Muhyiddin, who is also the deputy prime minister, was bestowed the award on Jan 17 for advancing sports through the ‘one student; one sport' program.

"The honour is very much earned and well-deserved," United States Sports Academy (USSA) president and CEO Dr Thomas P Rosandich was quoted saying in The Star today.

NONE "We had been wanting to bestow the award on the deputy prime minister for some time but he had not had the time (to come here) due to his hectic schedule."

DAP has previously questioned whether the doctorate was a kickback for allegedly awarding a contract worth RM22.9 million through a third party - the latter a company chaired by an Umno leader.

During the press conference on Jan 18, the party's election strategist Ong Kian Ming ( left ) also expressed concern that the award was an attempt to ‘curry favour' to be in a favourable position to negotiate for an extension of the contract.

Under the contract last year, USSA brought in trainers to help train 1,000 physical education teachers under an International Diploma in physical education and scholastic sports.

Malaysiakini's attempt to seek comment from the said company on Friday was unsuccessful, and was told that all its senior management are abroad.