MELAKA: A gutsy grandmother is ready to face “YB Hulk” and three other rivals in a five-cornered fight for Pengkalan Batu.

       Hang Tuah Jaya Umno Wanita chief Datuk Kalsom Nordin (pic) said she is prepared for a tough fight to wrest the state seat from incumbent Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee, whose moniker was coined after a video clip of him engaging in a heated exchange with villagers in Bukit Beruang emerged in 2018.

       The controversial politician won the seat in the last general election on a DAP ticket but became an Independent in support of the Barisan Nasional/Perikatan Nasional state government in March last year, helping to topple the Pakatan Harapan state government.

       Last month, he left the ruling coalition with three other assemblymen that led to the dissolution of the state assembly.

       Kalsom’s other contenders are Mohd Azrudin Md Idris (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia), Mohd Aluwi Saari (Putra) and Muhamad Danish Zainudin, a 25-year-old from DAP.

       “Don’t underestimate this grandmother,” Kalsom said in an interview.

       “I am not afraid of making the Hulk angry if he crosses my path during the campaigning period,” she added.

       Kalsom, 68, touted as the oldest female candidate in the Melaka election, said age is no barrier to taking on Norhizam and her younger opponents.

       “I am ready for the war; I have the energy for the battle,” said Kalsom, who has two children and six grandchildren.

       Melaka Umno, she said, has placed confidence in her and she will not disappoint them.

       “Other political parties seem to be obsessed with fielding young and attractive female candidates.

       “Experience counts too and I appreciate Melaka Umno taking into account my 20 years of contribution to Pengkalan Batu,” she added.

       Kalsom said she knows the local electorate well after serving them for two decades.

       “I am optimistic that voters will elect a person of experience rather than a greenhorn.”