HULU SELANGOR: Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election Khairul Azhari Saut has refused to comment on the issue surrounding his educational background.

This comes after various quarters had questioned the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Hulu Selangor acting division chief's qualifications for a master's degree from Universiti Malaysia Pahang after completing an executive diploma from Universiti Malaya within a span of two years.

Khairul Azhari, 54, deflected the issue by stating his focus on providing the best services to the Kuala Kubu Baharu constituents as part of his campaign strategy.

"I do not want to comment on that (issues on education background). I only want to focus on competing fairly (against other candidates).

"If given the chance to represent the Kuala Kubu Baharu constituency, we will bring the voices of the people to the state legislative assembly

"We will also provide the best services for the local community," he told reporters after the nomination process, today.

Meanwhile, Selangor PN chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said Khairul Azhari's qualifications should not be questioned or denied as the latter had participated in all relevant programmes to obtain his master's degree and executive diploma.

"(However,) whether it is recognised by the Ministry (of Higher Education) is not a consideration for any student or those taking the courses.

"For those who already have work experience, they usually take executive courses in a short period to focus on a specific field," he said.

Khairul is in a four-corner contest against Pakatan Harapan's (PH) Pang Sock Tao, Hafizah Zainudin of Parti Rakyat Malaysia and independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin in the by-election.

The by-election has been fixed for polling on May 11. The Kuala Kubu Baharu state seat fell vacant after its assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong from DAP succumbed to cancer last month.

In the Selangor state election last year, Lee helped DAP to retain Kuala Kubu Baharu after she polled a majority of 4,119 votes in a four-cornered fight at the state seat.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/04/1043274/kuala-kubu-baharu-election-pn-candidate-stays-mum-education