MELAKA TENGAH, Nov 12 – Former Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee is confident that his previous record of public service will help him win back the state seat in the 16th Melaka State Election.
Popularly known as “YB Beliau”, the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) candidate said voters had responded positively to his campaign.
Norhizam said he had visited nearly 80 per cent of Pengkalan Batu through house-to-house campaigning.
He believes his experience as a former elected representative and Melaka state executive councillor gives him an advantage when reconnecting with residents.
During his campaign visits, some residents reportedly recognised him and encouraged him to return as their representative.
A Former DAP Representative Seeking a Comeback
Norhizam first won the Pengkalan Batu seat under the Democratic Action Party (DAP) ticket in the 2018 general election.
However, he later left DAP and contested the 2021 Melaka state election as an independent candidate.
He lost that contest after securing 1,218 votes.
The seat went to Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Kalsom Noordin, who received 4,839 votes and won with a narrow majority of 131 votes.
Norhizam said his decision to contest as an independent candidate in 2021 was also a way to measure his personal support among voters.
He wanted to understand how many residents would continue supporting him without a political party’s backing.
Drainage and Community Welfare Among Key Issues
Norhizam identified drainage problems as one of the main concerns raised by residents.
He said some villages face drainage challenges as surrounding areas continue to experience rapid development.
He also highlighted education assistance, welfare support and economic opportunities as issues requiring attention.
If voters return him to the state assembly, he said he would focus on practical solutions rather than making promises that cannot be fulfilled.
“I do not promise the moon and stars, but I promise solutions that can be delivered,” he said.
He also pointed to his previous work as a reason voters should consider his candidacy.
Four-Cornered Contest in Pengkalan Batu
Norhizam faces a four-cornered contest in the upcoming state election.
His opponents are Siti Aisyah Mahmood from Barisan Nasional, Jason Tze-Xi Nathan from Pakatan Harapan and Goh Han Koon from Parti Bersama Malaysia.
The Pengkalan Batu state constituency falls under the Hang Tuah Jaya parliamentary area.
It has 25,948 registered voters for the 16th Melaka State Election.
With the campaign entering its final stage, Norhizam is relying on his previous service record and direct engagement with residents to strengthen his chances of returning to the state assembly.
However, the four-way contest will determine whether voters are ready to give him another mandate.
Source : AWANI | Rewritten By Minutesmy
