Former Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Norhizam Hassan Baktee said he will defend the seat as an independent candidate in the upcoming Malacca polls.
He said he is confident of recapturing the seat because the constituents know him as a people-oriented leader and having good key performance indicators.
“I promised myself that I will continue to contribute to and serve residents in the Pengkalan Batu constituency with all my soul… pray for me so I can win. Give me a mandate and I will continue to serve as I did before.
“I am confident that 80% of votes will be in my favour in the Malacca polls as I have been going down to the ground to meet the people for more than three years.
“During that period, I have also solved various problems or welfare issues,” he said, adding that 70% of drainage-related issues that caused flash floods in the constituency have been resolved.
On his decision to contest as an independent, Norhizam said it is to prove that independent elected reps are able to provide the best service to the people, but not bound by any party condition or constraint.
“I have received an offer to join four other political parties, but I am more comfortable to move on my own.”
On other contenders, Norhizam said they will not pose a problem as the DAP candidate is not a local, while the Barisan Nasional candidate is a long-time leader fielded for the first time. He is expected to face a four-cornered fight against DAP, Umno and Perikatan Nasional.
In the 14th General Election, Norhizam contested on a DAP ticket, winning with a 2,756 majority, defeating BN’s Chua Lian Chye and PAS’ Ramli Dalip.