‘YB Hulk’ comeback to Pengkalan Batu in doubt as Bersatu eyes other seats

“YB Hulk” Norhizam Hassan Baktee’s hopes of contesting in Pengkalan Batu again may be dashed as the seat does not appear to be among Bersatu’s targets for the Melaka state election.

Melaka Bersatu information chief Hishamuddin Abdul Karim said the party had also yet to finalise the candidates and seats it would contest in the election.

“Bersatu has yet to finalise its decisions regarding the Melaka state election, including the candidates and seats.

“I understand that Pengkalan Batu is not on Bersatu’s list,” he told FMT.

Hishamuddin also said Norhizam’s remarks about wanting to contest again could be his personal view and did not represent the party’s position.

The media reported yesterday that Norhizam intended to contest in the Melaka election and still wanted to serve the people of Pengkalan Batu, claiming that residents there needed his services.

The former Pengkalan Batu assemblyman, who is now Hang Tuah Jaya Bersatu deputy chief, also claimed that his name had already been listed as a candidate for the state election, although the seat he would contest had yet to be decided.

Norhizam was a member of DAP when he was elected to the Pengkalan Batu seat in the 2018 state election. He left the party in 2020, declaring himself an independent assemblyman supporting the Umno-led state government.

He was among four assemblymen who withdrew support for then chief minister Sulaiman Ali, which led to a fresh election being called in 2021.

He sought to defend the Pengkalan Batu seat as an independent that year but lost to Barisan Nasional’s Kalsom Noordin by a narrow 131-vote majority in a five-cornered fight.

Asked whether he himself would contest in the upcoming state election, Hishamuddin said he would leave it to the party leadership to decide on the candidates and seats.

“As a party man, I respect the decision of the president and the party. I do not see contesting in an election as a personal agenda.

“Do not be too eager to seek positions or become a candidate. The party’s survival and victory are far more important,” he said.