NORHIZAM Hassan Baktee, the Malacca executive councillor who berated residents over a road closure, has defended his action after a video clip of the incident went viral on social media.
The agriculture, entrepreneur development and agro-based committee chairman, labelled a “gangster”, said the video did not capture the whole story.
The Pengkalan Batu assemblyman said he was in Taman Akasia this morning to solve a problem with the closure of two alternative roads in the area and was shaking hands with locals when a group of people started to bombard him with questions.
“I have no problem answering questions as an elected rep and being ready to face unexpected situations like this.
“But what has gone viral on social media only shows a bit (of what happened). The real facts about the road closure issue were not shown in the video,” said Norhizam, who is also state DAP deputy chairman, in a statement.
The video showed him raising his voice at an elderly villager, who wanted to know what law the authorities used to close the road.
During the argument, which was witnessed by a group of people, Norhizam was heard saying: “I am talking, you are talking… who do you want to listen to? You talk, I talk. Awak YB, ke saya YB? (Are you the elected rep or I am the elected rep?)”
Norhizam said what went viral only showed him losing his temper while the part where he had listened to, praised, supported and helped the village people was not shared.
Norhizam went on the explain the situation with the roads, which had to be closed since last Tuesday for the Drainage and Irrigation Department to carry out infrastructure works and to deepen the river next to Kg Pulau Nibong and Taman Akasia.
The roads had been used by Kg Pulau Nibong residents to get to the main road for a year. The closure had caused unhappiness among the villagers.
For the convenience of the people, there was previously a mutual agreement that the road would be open for public use if the residents there could abide by certain conditions, he said.
Norhizam said he had hoped for the conditions to be followed to “preserve harmony” but instead, there were frequent accidents and theft.
“Motorcycles are still going fast, endangering the elderly and children who also use the roads. There is also an increase in traffic on the roads.
“So the solution was to close the road, as agreed by the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council, the department and other relevant agencies.”
Norhizam said he did not blame the “desperate individuals who had pressured, used abusive language, questioned his credibility as an assemblyman and state exco, shouted and cursed, and labelled him ‘rude YB’”.
He said he was only sad about people who did not know the truth and those who could not accept the reality of the issue.
“Who am I to stop others from spreading the video? I serve everyone in the Pengkalan Batu constituency regardless of politics because now is the time for me to work, not play politics.
“I am very disappointed when I am accused of putting up an act and playing politics to solve the issue.” –October 9, 2018.
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