KKB polls: Khairul's degree questioned online, not by unity govt, says Loke


HULU SELANGOR: The unity government has never questioned the academic qualifications of Perikatan Nasional’s Kuala Kubu Baharu candidate Khairul Azhari Saut, says DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.

According to Loke, it was social media users who questioned Khairul’s academic qualifications by pointing out that he had a master's without having a bachelor's degree.

“We never said his qualifications were not valid. It was raised on social media. We never started it,” he told reporters during a walkabout in Kuala Kubu Baharu on Wednesday (May 1).

ALSO READ: KKB polls: Credentials in the spotlight

Instead, Loke said Perikatan was trying to divert attention by raising questions on Pakatan Harapan candidate Pang Sock Tao’s academic qualifications.

“So what we did was to state facts. We did not engage in any form of character assassination,” he added.

Loke also said the candidates simply had to state the facts of their qualifications when there are questions raised.

“(Pang) did not speak much, but only shared her transcripts.

“We have no interest in character assassination. That is not our way. We only promote ourselves and do not bring down other people’s dignity,” he added.

The issue arose over Khairul’s biodata which stated that he received an executive diploma in management from Universiti Malaya in 2019 and a master's in Business Management from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) two years later.

ALSO READ: KKB polls: Pakatan's Pang unperturbed by personal attacks

The sequence led to questions on the validity of his qualifications, with some observers asking how he obtained his master's even though his previous qualification was a diploma.

Following that, PAS youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari questioned Pang’s academic qualifications.

In response, Pang posted transcripts of her SPM and UPSR results which revealed she scored straight As in the examinations, and was a student of SM Chung Hua in Port Dickson.

ALSO READ: KKB polls: Personal attacks against Perikatan candidate show opponents lack ideas, claims Azmin

Ahmad Fadhli then apologised but pointed out that this indirectly revealed she graduated from vernacular schools, and said he hoped it would remain an issue until polling day.

Kuala Kubu Baharu voters will go to the polls on May 11, with early voting on Tuesday (May 7). The seat fell vacant following the demise of assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong, 58, on March 21.

The by-election will see a four-cornered fight involving Pakatan, Perikatan, Parti Rakyat Malaysia and an Independent.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Nation

M'sians in HK gather to celebrate Dr Thein's Shaw Prize success
Post-mortem continues for woman found in freezer, say cops
VIP escort and covert manoeuvre training in Taiping from Nov 15 to Dec 2
Dr Wee ready to face rights and privileges committee, slams Kampar MP for twisting facts
Police revisit Taman OUG after discovery of woman’s remains in freezer
Duo nabbed hours after robbing Sg Petani store, cops uncover cache of explosives, drugs
Rat droppings, filthy floor found in two Penang eateries
Flash floods at Subang Jaya station disrupting KTM Komuter services
Northeast Monsoon: Ministry to ensure essential supplies are accessible, fairly priced, says Armizan
Corruption case death threats: Police, MCMC tracking those involved

Others Also Read