TAWAU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) candidate for the Tanjung Batu, Dr Andi Md Shamsureezal Mohd Sainal, decided to join politics by quitting as Director of Lahad Datu Hospital recently.
Dr Andi, 38, who earlier also served as Director of Ranau Hospital and ran his own clinic, said his medical profession trained him to be non-discriminatory and community-oriented.
“Whilst it is true I held a high rank and earned more than an assemblyman’s salary, I’m contesting because of my passion for politics,” Dr Andi said.
For the record, the suicide death of a pathologist at Lahad Datu Hospital gripped the nation last August and forced the Health Ministry to review the workload of medical practitioners.
An official investigation into the suicide of Dr Tay Tien Yan did not indicate she was bullied by superiors as speculated.
Meanwhile, Dr Andi said although being a political newcomer fielded by the GRS, his involvement in politics began in 2012, with extensive community work through various NGOs. He is confident his experience would enable him to be a leader who reaches down to the people, rather than residents seek him out.
“My parents raised me to serve the community and help everyone regardless of race, religion or economic status,” he said.
He said he would be a reliable voice channelling constituents’ concerns to the State and Federal governments while ensuring continued development and welfare in Tanjung Batu.
“Besides grassroots work, I’m introducing myself to the 27,500 voters in Tanjung Batu through these platforms. I thank the media for their cooperation and coverage,” he said.
Dr Andi graduated from Kursk State Medical University in Russia and obtained a Master of Hospital Administration from the University of the Philippines.
He faces a five-cornered contest in Tanjung Batu against Ayuf Abdul Rahman (Warisan), Ahmad Dullah (Perikatan Nasional), Samasuddin Yusop (Barisan Nasional) and Zanudin Mingo (Parti Impian Sabah).
