SEGAMAT: The 15th General Election (GE15) serves as Dr Zaliha Mustafa's platform to become a politician. The Pakatan Harapan (PH) parliamentary candidate for Sekijang is giving up medicine to jump into the world of politics.
The 58-year-old doctor said her interest in politics began since she was in secondary school but the calling to become a doctor was so strong that she halted the idea.
Furthermore, Dr Zaliha, who holds a Bachelor's Degree in Medicine and Surgery from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, had to serve a government employment contract before working at a private clinic in Kulai.
"This GE15 is where I can seriously be in the world of politics. Having served with former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, I am confident that with the experience, I am able to serve and put the people's welfare if I am given the mandate," she said
Dr Zaliha is happy that PH has provided opportunities for more professional women to contest in GE15, saying that the move will make the party more attractive to the younger generation.
Although she described herself as being "raw" in politics, she is confident in her ability to represent the party which she said has found a place in the hearts of all races.
Dr Zaliha is up against Md Salleheen Mohamad Barisan Nasional (BN), Uzzair Ismail (Perikatan Nasional), Dr Mohd Zohar Ahmad (Warisan) and Mohd Saiful Faizal Abd Halim (Pejuang).
In the 14GE, the Sekijang Parliamentary seat was won by Natrah Ismail from PKR who defeated Datuk Ayub Rahmat of BN with a 1,281-vote majority.