The former teacher said this in response to Perikatan Nasional election director Sanusi Nor’s defence of PN candidate Abidin Ismail, who Sanusi said is a capable leader despite his lack of high academic qualifications.

Joohari said capable political leaders require both good character and knowledge.

“First comes character, then comes knowledge … if one does not have knowledge, he can lead people astray.

“People aren’t stupid, but they are ignorant, and we need to teach them,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying at a press conference today.

Abidin has received criticism for not displaying his academic qualifications on his election posters, compared with Joohari, who is a former lecturer and obtained a PhD from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2014, majoring in management and education leadership.

Sanusi defended Abidin, a logistics executive, saying though academic qualifications are important, many political leaders have performed well despite not having a PhD or even a basic degree.

Joohari, a former lecturer at Institut Aminuddin Baki in Kedah, said his background as a teacher gives him an advantage, as the profession is one of the most trusted in the world.

“Teachers are second to doctors, and trusted by everyone all over the world.

“I believe Sungai Bakap’s voters will be able to judge for themselves,” he said.

The Sungai Bakap by-election on July 6 will see a straight fight between Joohari, 60, and Abidin, 56.

There are 39,279 registered voters in Sungai Bakap, consisting of 39,222 regular voters and 57 police officers, who are registered postal voters.