MELAKA (Bernama): Perikatan Nasional candidate for the Sungai Udang state constituency, Dr Mohd Aleef Yusof (pic) is sacrificing his medical career to contest in the Melaka state election due to his interest in politics and desire to serve the community and the state.

       The 35-year-old doctor, who is fielded by Bersatu in the Melaka state election to be held this Nov 20, said his interest to serve the people and the state through political platforms sprouted since he was in school and it became stronger during his university days.

       However, the Melaka-born doctor’s intention to enter politics at an earlier age was hampered as he was bound by an employment contract, and in pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor.

       "The Melaka state election is the first arena for me to be seriously involved in politics, but I am confident of being able to shoulder the responsibility by putting the welfare of the people as my main focus," he said.

       Dr Mohd Aleef, who holds bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery from the Management and Science University (MSU), had served as a government medical officer before joining a private hospital in Melaka.

       According to Dr Mohd Aleef, he appreciated Perikatan's openness in providing more opportunities for young people and professionals like him to contest in the Melaka state election and believed it would be able to attract more young people to be with the party.

       Dr Mohd Aleef will be in a four-cornered fight against Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad (Barisan Nasional), Hasmorni Tamby (Pakatan Harapan) and Major General (B) Datuk Mohd Zahar Hasim (Independent) for the Sungai Udang state seat.

       In the 14th General Election, the Sungai Udang state seat was won by Datuk Seri Idris Haron from Barisan with a majority of 2,229 votes, defeating Mohd Lokman Abdul Gani of PKR.

       The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 20 as polling day for the Melaka state election, while early voting is on Nov 16.

       Melaka, with a total of 28 state constituencies, has a total of 495,195 registered voters, comprising 48.57 percent of them are men and and 51.43 percent are women.- Bernama