HULU SELANGOR: Perikatan Nasional (PN) has expressed satisfaction with the educational background of its candidate, Khairul Azhari Saut, ahead of the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.
Selangor Perikatan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said PN remained firm in its support and affirmed that Khairul's credentials have been meticulously screened and found satisfactory.
He said the party was content with his performance, track record and qualifications to present to the people in Kuala Kubu Baharu.
"The proof (of the academic credentials) is there. He did not misrepresent himself and did not claim to have obtained a master's degree from any specific course.
"He confirmed that he underwent intensive executive courses, which are widely offered by many universities.
"I thought that was a good thing because we always encourage continuous learning, even for those who may have missed out on university education initially, but taking executive and intensive courses is a common practice across universities," Azmin said when met by reporters after PN's Ceramah Kelompok here last night.
He advised voters not to be swayed by attempts to politicise the matter.
"So, my advice is not to fall into this trap. Explanations have been provided, and it's time to move forward," he said.
Meanwhile, during the ceramah, Khairul also addressed the controversy surrounding his educational background.
He brushed off personal attacks on social media, describing the backlash as merely a 'test' ahead of the by-election.
"Today, I was personally attacked regarding my academic qualifications. I don't mind because I didn't cheat and the certificate I submitted is not from Sri Lanka to Vietnam.
"The certificate I obtained is from Malaysia itself, from Universiti Malaysia Pahang, they can contact the university to verify (the masters degree).
"What I'm facing now is simply a test for me, so we can't blame them for testing me before this election, there will be all kinds of obstacles," he said.
Also present was Negri Sembilan Bersatu chief and PN chairman Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker.
Khairul also stated his reluctance to react hastily to criticism.
This was after various quarters questioned the Hulu Selangor Bersatu acting division chief's Master's degree from Universiti Malaysia Pahang after completing an executive diploma from Universiti Malaya within a span of two years.
The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, scheduled for May 11, will witness a four-cornered contest between candidates from various parties, including PH (Pang Sock Tao), PN (Khairul Azhari Saut), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (Hafizah Zainudin), and an independent candidate (Nyau Ke Xin).
The by-election was triggered by the passing of its three-term assemblywoman from DAP, Lee Kee Hiong.