KKB polls: Perikatan candidate sheds light on qualifications

Reports by TARRENCE TAN, KHOO GEK SAN, GERARD GIMINO and FAZLEENA AZIZ

HULU SELANGOR: After initially declining to answer questions from the press on his professional education background, Perikatan Nasional’s Khairul Azhari Saut (pic) has issued a statement to say his educational qualifications are legitimate.

This comes after Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) Advanced chief executive officer Dr Ahmad Johari Mohamad was quoted in a news report as saying that Khairul Azhari’s education background is valid.

Ahmad Johari said diploma holders could further their studies up to the Executive Masters level at UMPSA if they have the required work experience.

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He added that the Professional Diploma and Executive Masters programmes are certificates issued by a number of universities and are based on the framework of lifelong learning programmes.

They are recognised by the universities’ Senate instead of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency, he added.

Khairul Azhari said he was already prepared for personal attacks in this by-election.

“Anyway, thank you to my ‘friends and foes’ for the support and attention towards my educational background,” he said in his statement yesterday.

In the statement, Khairul Azhari also attached transcripts and certificates from UMPSA as proof of his academic qualifications.

The Bersatu politician, who is Perikatan’s candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, saw his academic qualifications becoming a hot topic after his biodata stated that he received an executive diploma in management from Universiti Malaya in 2019 and a master’s degree in Business Management from UMPSA two years later.

This sequence of events led to questions on the validity of his qualifications.

Commenting on his by-election campaign, Khairul Azhari said he wants to work hard and win.

“We wish to continue (campaigning) in this manner without resorting to personal attacks,” he said after a community event in Kampung Chuang yesterday.

He claimed that he has received “very encouraging” response from non-Malay voters, particularly the Chinese community.

“My interaction with the Chinese voters has been positive.

“I am pleased with the support shown for us,” he added.

Khairul Azhari is engaged in a four-way contest for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state seat against Pakatan Harapan’s Pang Sock Tao, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainudin and independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin.