SHAH ALAM - A strong higher education background is a significant strength for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate, Dr Joohari Ariffin in the upcoming Sungai Bakap by-election on July 6.
PKR Penang vice chairman Fahmi Zainol highlighted this advantage, noting that academic qualifications enhance the candidate's credibility and ability to provide quality service to the community.
"The PH candidate is of very high quality and not just anyone. I am confident in his (Joohari's) work and his background as a teacher, which certainly brings him close to the community.
"He has an advantage and can be elevated compared to the Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate, who may only have a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificate. Moreover, I have personally witnessed that Joohari is very well known.
"Many people, including former students, teachers, and residents, acknowledge him. Not only does he have a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, but his character is also very good with his religious values and relationships with the community," he said.
Fahmi made these remarks while participating as a panellist in the 445th series discourse, 'Sungai Bakap: A Battle of Equals,' which went live on all Sinar digital platforms on Tuesday.
The programme, hosted by media and Universiti Teknologi Mara's information warfare studies centre's psychological operations fellow, Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin, also featured Penang's Armada Bersatu information head, Harris Idaham Rashid, and University Malaya's political science, public administration, and development studies department lecturer, Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub.
Fahmi further elaborated that the synergy between the federal and state governments has bolstered voter support in Sungai Bakap, particularly for the PH candidate.
"In the past one and a half years, especially in Penang, several initiatives have been announced, and the synergy has shown results.
"Among them are the construction or announcement of allocations for Light Rail Transit (LRT) services, the expansion of Penang International Airport (LTAPP), and the approval of the Juru-Sungai Dua highway.
"I am confident that these factors and the synergy have increased voter confidence in the Sungai Bakap due to the changes brought upon," he said.