NIBONG TEBAL: The Perikatan Nasional candidate for the Sungai Bakap by-election today brushed aside a question about attacks on his academic qualifications.
"What is important is that each of us have our own strengths," said Abidin Ismail, adding that it was an "honest mistake" made about the matter.
Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, when announcing Abidin's candidacy recently, had said that the latter held an ISO14001-2015 certification.
This has led to netizens questioning Abidin's academic credentials.
"It is normal to make mistakes. ISO is only for companies and statutory bodies," he said.
Abidin said it was okay if the people wanted to complain about the matter.
"Whatever you do or say, the people will draw a comparison," he added when met during a walkabout at the Taman Pekatra pasar malam here this evening.
Today is the third day of campaigning and Abidin said he has been getting good support from the ground.
He said the people kept complaining to him about the rising prices of goods.
"Some people even told me that they may vote for me in protest," he said.
PN election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had recently said academic qualifications alone could not be the measure of someone's suitability to become an excellent political leader in the future.
He said many political leaders in the country did not have high academic qualifications but have succeeded in their roles.
Also met at the same pasar malam later was Pakatan Harapan's Dr Joohari Ariffin.
However, both candidates missed each another by mere minutes.