Bersatu man reprimands PAS info chief for touching on vernacular schools

Bersatu associate wing chairman Chong Fat Full has taken PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari to task for bringing up the issue of vernacular schools.

PETALING JAYA: A Bersatu leader has reprimanded PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari for broaching the issue of vernacular schools while campaigning for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.

Bersatu associate wing chairman Chong Fat Full said Fadhli’s decision to highlight DAP candidate Pang Sock Tao’s educational background was an attempt to discriminate against her.

“I too am from a vernacular school, so what’s the issue? It is no different (from a national school),” he told FMT.

Yesterday, Fadhli “apologised” for challenging Pang to reveal her SPM results, but said he hoped the “issue” of her coming from a vernacular school would continue during the campaign.

Chong, who also called out those who questioned Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Khairul Azhari Saut’s educational background, said there was a need to practice political maturity.

“We should stop such antics. The campaign should focus on government policies, the direction of our economy and how we can better help the rakyat.”

Chong said everyone should be proud that the candidates had good academic credentials and that people should not discriminate against candidates because of their educational background.

“We should respect those who still want to further their studies now and keep in mind that they may not have had the opportunity to do so before.”

The by-election will see a four-cornered fight between Pang, Khairul, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainuddin and independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin.

The seat fell vacant following the death of three-term DAP assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong on March 21 from cancer. Polling falls on May 11.