MELAKA: Maverick Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee has confirmed that he will defend his Pengkalan Batu seat as an Independent candidate.

       The incumbent assemblyman will be facing a five-cornered fight against Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Kalsom Nordin, Bersatu’s Mohd Azrudin Md Idris, DAP’s Muhamad Danish Zainudin and Putra’s Dr Muhammad Alwi Sani.

       Norhizam, who was wearing a black T-shirt with the words “YB VIRAL”, claimed he was approached by more than four parties.

       “I wasn’t interested. When we want to enter a person’s house, sometimes there’s too many ‘ding-dongs’.

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       “So I felt it’s better to contest as an Independent. What are we supposed to do? It is someone else’s house,” he told a press conference yesterday.

       Asked on his chances of retaining the seat, Norhizam said he was confident.

       “I’ve served the voters there for more than three years. “We know this election will be different but the assemblyman who had worked hard will win,” he said.

       Norhizam became known as “YB Hulk” after a video clip of him emerged in 2018, showing him in a heated exchange with villagers in Bukit Beruang.

       The former state DAP deputy chairman took a swipe at Muhamad Danish, saying that the DAP candidate was not a local.

       “He was parachuted. I don’t even know him. But Kalsom, I see him as my good friend. In terms of work, I’ve lapped him.

       “So, I don’t know what he’s up to. The people can judge. They will vote for those who can provide service, not logos or parties.”

       Norhizam also said he remained in good terms with Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Datuk Nor Azman Hassan despite the two being accepted into Pakatan’s fold.

       “We quit (Perikatan) for a reason. The people can make their own decisions,” he said.

       On Saturday, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that Idris and Nor Azman had been accepted as PKR and Amanah members and that they would contest in Ashan and Pantai Kundor respectively.

       Previously, Idris led three assemblymen – Nor Azman, Norhizam and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad – to retract support for the Perikatan state government, triggering its subsequent collapse.