KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 — As issues on health are the main agenda in her political struggle, Dr Zaliha Mustafa is indeed a suitable figure to lead the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Named as the Minister of Health in the Unity Government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Sekijang MP was born on June 28, 1964, in a modest family and resided in Jalan Mahmoodiah, Johor Bahru.
Dr Zaliha attended Sultan Ibrahim Girls’ School (SIGS) and later accepted an offer to enter a boarding school at Mara Junior Science College Kota Bahru, Kelantan.
The excellent results obtained by the eldest of eight siblings for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualified her for studies in the field of medicine.
Although various offers were received to continue her studies abroad, she chose to continue her studies locally at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and was awarded a Doctor of Medicine (MD).
Dr Zaliha began her career as a doctor at Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Bahru from 1989 to 1990 and later served as a medical officer at Pekan District Hospital, Pahang for 10 months.
She also worked as a medical officer at Taiping District Hospital for more than two years. She returned to Johor in 1995 and worked in a private clinic with Kumpulan Perubatan Penawar and opened her own clinic in Bandar Putra Kulai.
Dr Zaliha started her political career with PKR and ran as a Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate in the Gelang Patah seat in the 12th general election.
She then contested the Sekijang parliamentary seat in GE15 and won the seat with a majority of 1,734 votes.
