Muhaimin said he would provide a clarification when the time is right.

“I don’t want to comment on the accreditation issue now. Let them (the opponents) continue playing up the issue.

“When the time comes, God willing, we will respond,” he told reporters during a campaign event.

Earlier today, Perak Amanah chairman Asmuni Awi said the allegations were serious, adding that it could damage the reputation of religious institutions and amounted to disloyalty to the Sultan of Perak, the head of Islam in the state.

In Perak, religious teaching accreditation is managed by the state’s mufti department through a formal process involving written exams, interviews and background checks, with the sultan’s consent being necessary for final approval.

Asmuni said current regulations prohibit individuals holding political office or running for elections from obtaining such accreditation.

Muhaimin had declined to address the allegations when approached by reporters after the candidate nomination yesterday.

The Ayer Kuning by-election on April 26 will see Muhaimin contesting against Barisan Nasional’s Yusri Bakir and Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s KS Bawani.

A total of 31,897 registered voters are expected to participate in the election, with early voting scheduled for April 22.

The by-election was called following the death of Umno assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin on Feb 22.

He had won the seat in the previous general election with a 2,213-vote majority in a five-way contest.