The 35-year-old doctor said his interest to serve the people and the state through political platforms sprouted when he was in school and became stronger during his university days.

However, the Melaka-born candidate’s intention to enter politics at an earlier age was hampered by an employment contract aside from 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,” the Bersatu man said.

Aleef, who holds a 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.

He said he appreciate PN’s openness in providing more opportunities for young people and professionals like him to contest in the state election, and believed it would be able to attract more young people to the party.

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

On the competition he is facing, he said although he was still new in politics, he was confident in his ability and in PN, which was winning the hearts of the people of various races in the country.

In the 14th general election (GE14) in May 2018, the Sungai Udang state seat was won by Idris Haron, then from BN, with a majority of 2,229 votes, defeating Mohd Lokman Abdul Gani of PKR. Idris was also the Melaka chief minister prior to the polls then.

The Election Commission has set Nov 20 as polling day for the state election, with early voting on Nov 16.

Melaka, with a total of 28 state constituencies has 495,195 registered voters.