CALONKINI | Dr Md Farid Md Rafik comes from an Umno family, but unlike many political dynasties, he is not an Umno member himself.

Farid, a graduate from the Queen's University of Belfast, had spent 11 years in the UK, having studied there and then practised as an anesthesiologist.

He returned to Malaysia in 2014 and went into private practice.

His mother Norma Mohamed was the former Tanjung Piai Umno Wanita chief and during that time, Farid said he had been somewhat detached from politics, but began to take notice after his mother's move from Umno.

"Initially, I was still busy with my career. I felt a little detached from politics. I concentrated on my work and my hobbies like fishing, cycling and other outdoor activities," he said.

Farid added that his mother had always given him the freedom to make his own decision, including on politics.

But in 2016, after 38 years in Umno, Norma revolted and joined Bersatu, which caught Farid's attention.

"My mother never asked me personally to join Bersatu. She had given me the freedom to make my decisions.

"After she joined Bersatu, it took me a long time to analyse what happened. We observed the People's Declaration, Bersatu's formation and I personally scrutinised the movement," he said.

With his interest piqued, a Bersatu leader approached Farid to help set up Bersatu in Tanjung Piai.

'Politics can be dirty and hard to navigate'

"I told them I am totally naive about politics and am not used to it. It always reminded me that politics can be dirty and hard to navigate.

"What politicians say in front of you does not necessarily mean they support you," he said.

However, Farid said he noted that the formation of Bersatu in Tanjung Piai had been slow and finally, in March 2017, he decided to take the plunge.

"I said I can help, at least with forming a strong committee, get as many people to join as members and getting a base to set up our office.

"At that time, we began to push aggressively. The first thing I did was to form a pact with Amanah and DAP. We chatted with these people," he said.

DAP had contested in Tanjung Piai in the last general election but ceded the parliamentary seat to Bersatu in this general election.

Two months later, Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir made separate visits to Tanjung Piai, drawing more than a 1,000 people, Farid said.

Suddenly, Farid, a reluctant politician, became an important organiser for Bersatu in Tanjung Piai.

Despite now being in politics, Farid said he has been functioning like a doctor, being "on call" 24 hours a day with only a few hours of sleep as he helped organise Bersatu's activities in the constituency.

He was eventually endorsed by the Bersatu top leadership as the candidate for Tanjung Piai.

Farid said if he wins, he will work to ensure a balance between development and the environment, which is critical at a time when southern Johor is facing rapid development at the expense of local fishermen.

He also hopes that children in the agricultural and fisheries communities can receive a quality education so that they can have a career like he had.

Farid will go up against MCA's Wee Jeck Seng and PAS' Nordin Othman in the parliamentary seat.

CALONKINI introduces new faces from all sides of the political divide in the run-up to the 14th general election.

These interviews are not an endorsement by Malaysiakini.

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