MELAKA: Barisan Nasional candidate for the Merlimau state seat, Dr Muhamad Akmal Salleh, has said that by being a politician, he could do more to reach out and serve the community.

       He said this after he was asked if being a doctor was not enough to serve the people.

       The 33-year-old man said the decision to enter the political fray was to allow him to be directly involved in the decision-making process and provide better services to a wider group in the community.

       “Yes, doctors serve the community and that should suffice, but if a ‘makcik’ cannot afford medical treatment, I am able to help give her free medical consultation which would otherwise cost RM50 or RM100, not only for that one time but I can continue to serve her and her grandchildren as well.

       “It is different in the world of politics as we are the decision-makers, and we can implement policies that will not only benefit that elderly lady but so many others as well,” he said during an interview in the special programme Bicara Melaka over BN COMMS’ Facebook.

       Dr Muhamad Akmal said he entered politics to channel his youthful energy to serve the community.

       He initially served for two years as a medical officer at the Merlimau Health Clinic before opening his own 24-hour practice in the area.

       “My life is in Merlimau. My parents are also here, so everything for me is in Merlimau,” he said.

       The Jasin Umno Youth chief and Melaka Umno Youth vice-chief had a year ago mooted the idea of having free ambulance service for the poor.

       Dr Muhamad Akmal, one of the young candidates in the Melaka state election, is up against Pakatan Harapan’s candidate Azrin Ab Majid and Perikatan Nasional’s Abd Alim Shapie. — Bernama