PETALING JAYA: Ampang PAS candidate Nurul Islam Mohamed Yusoff has been embroiled in an attempt to smear his name through fake news claiming that he is not a Malaysian.
Messages claiming that Nurul Islam is a Bangladeshi have been circulating on social media sites and even on the WhatsApp messaging service.
"I am aware of this news, I think that it is part and parcel of the election season. People are spreading fake news to downgrade their enemy," he told The Star on Monday (April 23).
Nurul Islam added that he was far "better off" than other candidates who had sexually explicit fake news spread about them.
"It is not a surprise to me because people can do anything in this election time to spread fake news," he said.
When asked if he would be making a police report, Nurul Islam said he would be discussing the matter with his team before making any decision.
Nurul Islam clarified that he was born in Kuala Lumpur in 1983.
He studied in SMK La Salle Sentul and went on to do his Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering at the International Islamic University Malaysia.
He is married with four children and is also fluent in three languages - Malay, English and Tamil.
Nurul Islam added that he started his political career in PAS in the Batu Youth division.
He was then appointed the Federal Territory Youth secretary.
He further climbed the ranks in PAS when he was promoted as the Federal Territory Youth chief.
He subsequently went on to the national youth level where he was appointed as the head of the new bureau.
Nurul Islam is currently the PAS Youth election director.
On Twitter, constitutional lawyer Syahredzan Johan urged social media users to stop circulating messages regarding his nationality.
"Please stop circulating messages regarding the nationality of @Mr_Nurislam. It is racist and xenophobic," he said.
