MELAKA: State exco for Agriculture, Entrepreneur Development and Agro-Based Industry Norhizam Hassan Baktee showed his softer side and apologised today for blowing his top off.
Norhizam, who is also DAP’s Pengkalan Batu State assemblyman, agreed that the incident which had gone viral had affected his image as a civil servant and a representative of the government.
"As an assemblyman, I have a responsibility to ensure the welfare and well-being of the people, especially the people in my area.
"Therefore, I apologise for the harsh words used at yesterday's events. I will learn from this and improve on my weakness especially in the way communicate with people and deal in other similar situation," said Norhizam at a joint press conference with about 10 residents of Kampung Pulau Nibong organised by state DAP in Seri Negeri here.
The meeting saw Norhizam, who is also state DAP deputy chairman, and the residents shaking hands and burying the hatchet.
Also present were state housing, local government and environment exco Tey Kok Kiew, state DAP secretary Khoo Poay Tiong and residents’ representative Md Derus Tompang, 58, who was in the altercation video.
Meanwhile, Poay Tiong said the state DAP also regretted the incident and extended an apology for the way its elected representative had reacted in public.
"I welcome all the comments and feedback from the people and together, we will improve our shortcomings," he said.
Kok Kiew said the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) had been asked to hold a meeting with about 180 villagers and residents in the area to resolve the issue of alternative road closures which were well-connected.
In Ayer Keroh, the state government expressed regret and apologised on the altercation video that has gone viral between its exco member with residents in Kampung Pulau Nibong, here yesterday.
Chief Minister Adly Zahari said the issue was discussed at the state exco meeting today.
In this regard, he said the state housing, local government and environment exco member Tey Kok Kiew was instructed to look into the issues raised by the villagers through further discussions between local authorities, residents and villagers.
"The state government is committed in the establishment of the Melaka Special Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Melcat) at the state assembly next month.
"Through Melcat, we can evaluate the efficiency, transparency and accountability of all civil servants, elected government representatives, the exco members and even the chief minister.
"We believe that Melcat can serve as guidelines to understand the many issues and problems faced by the people in order to find the solutions," he said after chairing the state exco meeting at Seri Negeri.
Commenting on the video, Adly said Norhizam, who is the Pengkalan Batu State Assemblyman (ADUN), was among the hard-working elected representatives in the state.
"Norhizam has a great diligence. It’s only that in the video, the language used is not appropriate.
"Regardless of the provocation, as leaders we have to set an example to the society," he said.
A video of Norhizam raising his voice on villagers of Kampung Pulau Nibong has gone viral in social media, with many Netizens criticising him for being unprofessional in dealing with people's problems. The clip has garnered over 4,000 comments on Berita Harian facebook page, with more than 17,000 views on Youtube.
