KKB polls: Rival has run out of issues, says Muhyiddin on academic credentials query

MUAR: Queries regarding Perikatan Nasional’s Kuala Kubu Baharu candidate show that the opponent has run out of issues to talk about, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Perikatan chairman said following the claims, Bersatu candidate Khairul Azhari Saut has come forward to clarify that he indeed possessed an executive Master’s degree.

"There may be questions about the university that offered the master’s degree in relation to the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) but that is secondary.

"What should not be questioned is that he has obtained the qualification; the fact that the opponent has come up with the personal attack shows that they have run out of issues," the Pagoh MP told reporters after hosting a Hari Raya open house at his constituency here on Sunday (April 28).

The MQA was a formal recognition that a certificate, diploma or degree programme has attained the quality standards and criteria set.

Previously, questions were raised about how he could have a Masters degree even though his previous qualification was a diploma.

On Saturday (April 27) Khairul Azhari brushed off the claims, saying that the focus should be on the by-election.

Later that night, he uploaded his certificate and transcript on his Facebook page.

In Khairul Azhari’s biodata, it read that the Hulu Selangor Bersatu acting chief had a diploma in executive management from Universiti Malaya in 2019, followed by a Masters degree in business management from Universiti Malaysia Pahang in 2021.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said Perikatan would be focusing on getting Malay votes to secure a win at the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.

He said in last year’s Selangor state election, the voter turnout of Malays was about 67% while almost all Chinese in the constituency went out to vote.

"The data from the Election Commission (EC) showed that there was a lower turnout of Malay voters while the percentage of Chinese who went to the polling centres was at its peak.

"While we want to rally Chinese votes, we will also be focusing on the Malays as many did not head out to vote the last time.

"If the percentage could be increased from the previous 67% to about 80% or 90%, it can help us secure a win. I hope the Malays will head out to vote in droves," he added.

On March 21, the Kuala Kubu Baharu seat became vacant with the passing of its incumbent Lee Kee Hiong from DAP due to cancer.

In last year’s state election, Lee defeated Perikatan-Gerakan’s Teoh Kien Hong with a majority of 4,119 votes.

EC has set May 7 for early voting and May 11 as polling day for the by-election, which would see a four-cornered fight of four candidates; Perikatan’s Khairul Azhari, Pakatan Harapan’s Pang Sock Tao, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainuddin and independent Nyau Ke Xin.