Former Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Norhizam Hassan Baktee is unfazed by the nicknames he earned during his previous tenure, including ‘YB Beliau’ and the ‘pig-shooting assemblyman’, as he prepares to return to public service.
The 60-year-old Bersatu candidate said the labels were part of his experience as an elected representative, particularly his willingness to meet residents on the ground and address their problems.
He said that after being elected in 2018, he had always strived to serve the community to the best of his ability, recognising that his mandate and opportunity came from the people.
‘Look at the labels I received. Which assemblyman would dare to go out and shoot wild boars? I was even called a pig, but to me, it was just a nickname.
‘An elected representative must be courageous and work with sincerity to solve the people’s problems. That was what I did before, and I intend to do even better this time,’ he said.
He was speaking after Bersatu announced its candidates at the party’s main operations room at Baitul Tariq in Klebang last night.
Norhizam highlights residents’ basic needs
Norhizam, who is also Bersatu Hang Tuah Jaya deputy division chief, said he wanted to focus on residents’ basic needs despite turning 60.
Among his priorities were addressing flash floods caused by drainage problems and clogged drains, which he claimed had yet to be tackled comprehensively.
He also highlighted road conditions, education and the need to help small entrepreneurs obtain business licences and suitable premises.
Norhizam pledged to push for fairer opportunities for small G1 and G2-class contractors through open tenders, instead of large-scale concession-based project awards that make it difficult for smaller contractors to secure work.
‘Small contractors are struggling to earn a living, and we will do our best to help them secure suitable work opportunities,’ he said.
Previous experience gives him confidence
On the contest for the Pengkalan Batu seat, the former Melaka state executive councillor for agriculture, entrepreneur development, cooperatives and agro-based industries said his experience as the area’s assemblyman and his ties with residents would help him connect with voters.
He said he was prepared to sacrifice sleep to serve the public, recalling that he had previously managed with only about three hours of sleep a night.
‘People say I am already 60, but my spirit is still going strong,’ he said.
Norhizam won Pengkalan Batu in the 2018 14th General Election (GE14) under the DAP ticket with 9,227 votes.
After leaving DAP, he contested as an independent candidate in the 2021 Melaka state election but lost to Barisan Nasional’s Kalsom Noordin, securing 1,218 votes.
