[UPDATED] I’m the definition of wakil rakyat: Norhizam announces candidacy to defend seat as independent

MELAKA – Former DAP man turned independent politician Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee will defend his Pengkalan Batu constituency in the Melaka polls, in what will be a highly contested seat. 

Facing him in a five-cornered fight are Umno’s Datuk Kalsom Nordin, Bersatu’s Mohd Azrudin Md Idris, DAP’s Muhamad Danish Zainudin, and Putra’s Mohd Aluwi Sari. 

The polarising figure, whose previous antics in and outside the Melaka Legislative Assembly have courted quite the attention and criticism nationwide, said he will be contesting as an independent. 

Donning a black “YB VIRAL” t-shirt in a press conference today, Norhizam expressed confidence that he would be able to capture 80% of the vote, citing his good track record during his time as assemblyman there. 

“To my knowledge, since I became an independent, my service to the people has been better compared with when I was with a party,” he said, adding that he now has more freedom to do his work as he pleases. 

“And who says an independent can’t serve? I will prove to all Malaysians that independents can serve well. The example and benchmark is me.

“I am willing to work 24 hours a day. I can say that I am the definition of a true wakil rakyat (people’s representative). I am rakyat-oriented. Every time I go to the ground, the makcik-makcik (aunties) will cry, saying no reps had ever visited them.” 

"We want a representative who can help the people and be of service to the people. So when the time comes, the rakyat have to be smart." pic.twitter.com/dRIxY79fBk

— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 7, 2021

Norhizam said among other things, he had improved the flood situation in his constituency, performed community service for villagers, and provided aid to voters of all races since being voted in in the last general election in 2018. 

He added that at least four parties had approached him prior to his candidacy announcement today, but said he rejected them due to “noise” being made by various quarters, namely from his former party DAP. 

However, he stopped short of naming the parties that offered him a place as candidate. 

Norhizam is one of the “Melaka four” who withdrew support for then Umno Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, triggering the snap election. 

The Pengkalan Batu constituency was carved out from Bachang after a redelineation exercise before the 2018 general election. Norhizam won the seat with a 2,756 majority. 

Meanwhile, on the prospect of facing a five-cornered fight this time, Norhizam said he is unperturbed by this as the other candidates had only just been “parachuted” in, unlike him. 

“Some are not even locals. They don’t seem to have done much work on the ground, as opposed to me, who has been working daily for three years. The rakyat can see (for themselves) and be the judge.” – The Vibes, November 7, 2021