Lumadan assemblyman holds master's degree

KOTA KINABALU - The spirit in Lumadan assemblyman Datuk Ruslan Muharam has led to his success in completing his studies, thus now holding a master’s degree in Political Science.

Ruslan, 60, received his master’s degree during the 2022 UTMSPACE Convocation Ceremony in conjunction with the 66th Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Convocation at Dewan Sultan Iskandar in Johor on Saturday.

He was accompanied by his wife Datin Nursiah Santri.

"Today I received a master's degree in Political Science," he told Sinar Harian when contacted on Saturday.

The convocation was officiated by UTM Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Ir Ts Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail.

Asked how he managed to complete his studies while being a people’s representative, he said it was due to his spirit throughout his studies.

"I studied for a year and a half and managed to finish it due to passion, self-esteem and because I wanted to move forward in accordance to today's world without borders.

“I studied during the Covid-19 pandemic when the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented, so it was a great time where we lacked activities so I focused a lot on online learning," he said.

Meawhile, he said the educational background of a politician also received perceptions from various parties.

Therefore, he said it was his responsibility to be an educated representative of the people.

"This is also to complement the responsibility we carry as a people’s representatives," said the father of five with 14 grandchildren.

Earlier, he said he was in Johor Bahru for the ceremony since last Thursday and was currently on his way back to Kota Kinabalu as he has to attend the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session which will take place next Monday.

Ruslan, who is also the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) vice-president in the 16th State Election (PRN16), defeated eight candidates before being elected as Lumadan's assemblyman.