PAS admits mistake - Bahau candidate Kumar not tahfiz centre chair

STATE POLLS | Negeri Sembilan PAS has admitted that there was a mistake in the profile of Perikatan Nasional’s Bahau candidate P Kumar, who was stated to be the chairperson of the al-Quran tahfiz centre.

Sinar Harian quotes Negeri Sembilan PAS commissioner Rafiei Mustapha saying that they have instructed for a review and correction to be made immediately to avoid misunderstanding.

“I got the information from the central PAS Non-Muslim Supporters Wing that Kumar sponsors a tahfiz centre in Sabah.

“Maybe there was some confusion there. But if it is true there was a mistake, we apologise because it was not intentional,” Rafiei said.

Since nomination day last Saturday, Kumar’s poster raised doubts among the public, especially netizens, who questioned his position as the chairperson of the al-Quran tahfiz centre.

This is because netizens say a non-Muslim can't hold such a high position in a tahfiz centre.

Rafiei also denied the allegation that PAS had falsified their candidates’ profiles.

“All the information in the profile needs to be confirmed first. But I understand that he (Kumar) directly shared it on his Facebook without going through the review process first.

“I think there is only one of our candidate profiles where there was such confusion and if this is taken as the whole, then it is not fair to us,” he said.

More questions raised

Rafiei also did not address other questions raised regarding Kumar's credentials.

Facebook user Sharipuddin Muis pointed out that Bethel Faith University, which Kumar listed as having studied, did not exist.

"There's only Bethel University - a private Christian university in Minnesota, US. The university does not offer Diploma in Business Management (which Kumar claims to have done).

"They only offer a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Bethel University does not offer any diploma programmes," he said.

Sharipuddin further questioned the veracity of Kumar's claim of being a member of the armed forces members association when none of his working experiences lists him as having served in such a capacity.

"He also claims to be a 'Dr'. I'm unsure if it refers to a medical doctor or a PhD. But he only has a diploma and a questionable one at that.

"There are too many questions. I don't think this is a coincidence."

Malaysiakini has reached out to Kumar's aide for comment.

Kumar faces Pakatan Harapan’s incumbent candidate Teo Kok Seong from DAP in Bahau in the Aug 12 state polls. - Mkini