[UPDATED] No to Norhizam: Pakatan rejects Pengkalan Batu rep

KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH) will not be fielding Pengkalan Batu incumbent Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee in next month’s Melaka polls, said the coalition’s presidential council.

The council said the decision came after PH took into account the views of all who were adamant on this matter.

“It should be emphasised that the people’s interests are more important than those of individuals,” it said in a statement today.

The council – which comprises PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng – issued the statement after holding a meeting today.

On the status of Umno’s former Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron, Norhizam, Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas) and Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor) in contesting under PH, the council said the matter was not discussed.

“Since they (the four politicians) are not members of any PH parties, the question of their candidacies in the election was not raised during this meeting.

“However, the presidential council also decided that Norhizam will not be a PH candidate in Melaka.”

Meanwhile, the council reiterated the appointment of former Melaka chief minister Adly Zahari to lead the coalition’s machinery in the elections.

The council also said it has decided to send a representative to meet with the Election Commission (EC) over the standard operating procedures for the state election.

“This is to air PH’s views, while ensuring the principles of democracy are upheld, the rights of political parties in meeting voters are not affected, and the smooth running of the elections that is fair to all quarters – especially at a time when Melaka is in Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan.”

Yesterday, Anwar said the four Melaka reps had yet to formally apply to join PH.

Earlier, he said the four assemblymen were invited to a PH event on Monday night to show gratitude for bringing change in Melaka, but this did not mean that they were PH’s pick for the polls.

On Monday, the Election Commission (EC) set November 20 as polling day and November 8 for nomination, giving parties 12 days to campaign. – The Vibes, October 21, 2021