Norhizam unfazed by 'pig-shooting assemblyman' label

MELAKA: Former Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Datuk 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 simply part of his experience as a people's representative, particularly his willingness to go to the ground and address residents' problems.

He said when elected in 2018, he had always strived to serve the community to the best of his ability, recognising that the 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's candidate announcement at the party's main operations room at Baitul Tariq in Klebang last night.

Norhizam, who is also Bersatu Hang Tuah Jaya deputy division chief, said that despite turning 60, he wanted to focus on residents' basic needs, particularly flash floods caused by drainage and clogged drains, which he claimed had yet to be comprehensively addressed.

He also highlighted road conditions, education and the need to help small entrepreneurs obtain business licences and suitable premises.

He 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.

On the contest for the seat, the former Melaka state executive councillor for agriculture, entrepreneur development, cooperatives and agro-based industries said his previous experience as the area's assemblyman and ties with residents would help him connect with voters.

He said he was prepared to sacrifice sleep, having previously managed with only about three hours a night to focus on serving the public.

"People say I am already 60, but my spirit is still going strong," he said.

Norhizam won the Pengkalan Batu seat 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 election but lost to Barisan Nasional's Datuk Kalsom Noordin, securing 1,218 votes.