Do not evaluate a leader based on his or her academic qualifications because politics cannot be fully taught or learnt in school, said the head of the leadership body of Bersatu Negeri Sembilan, Rais Yatim.

He said, however, a leader must have a strong base in education, that is, having the academic qualification, even merely having the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) as basic qualification.

He said that it was more important for a politician to have an ability to lead, to be helpful, and to like interacting with people.

“To enter politics, we only need to have basic qualifications. Even the SPM is sufficient. Not necessary to have a degree... if we have that it is very good, but the community nowadays likes to make their own evaluation.

“Just take the example of (Tun) Ghafar Baba; he only had SPM academic qualification, but was appointed deputy prime minister. So there is no issue that one must have high academic qualification to be involved in politics,”he told Bernama after attending a programme, "Following the Struggles of Bersatu," at the Tampin division in Gemas today.

He said this when commenting on the issue that several Pakatan Harapan leaders, including a deputy minister, were alleged to have cheated on their academic background recently.

Nonetheless, he added, cheating on one's qualification should not be done by any individual.

On the programme today, Rais said it was to explain the strength of the Bersatu struggles which were frequently criticised, and to get public opinion.

“Through this tour we can get closer to the people and explain the basis of our struggles so that it is not likened to Umno,”he said.

- Bernama