Melaka exco says viral video does not reflect actual situation
Tuesday, 9 Oct 201810:46 PM MYT
A video of a heated argument between representatives from Kampung Pulau Nibong with Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Norhizam Hassan Baktee (centre) over the closure of a 5-metre shortcut connecting Jalan Akasia 4 to Jalan Pulau Nibong in Melaka has gone viral.
PETALING JAYA: The Melaka executive councillor seen in a viral video engaging in a heated discussion with a group of villagers says that the footage did not show what actually transpired.
Online news portal The Malaysian Insight reported Norhizam Hassan Baktee as saying that the entire viral video "did not capture the whole story".
The Pengkalan Batu assemblyman was at Taman Akasia to resolve a problem relating to a closure of a shortcut, which angered residents of a nearby village as they could no longer use the route.
The Malaysian Insight reported Norhizam as saying that he was shaking hands with some people before another group started asking him questions.
"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," he was quoted as saying.
Footage shows Norhizam telling the people heatedly that villagers have to use the "jalan kampung" (village road).
Norhizam also asks them why they are picking a fight instead of using an alternative road that was recently tarred for them to use.
In another video, Norhizam tells the people gathered that he has to take care of the residents of the area as they own houses there.
He then shouts out that his decision to close the road is final.
Earlier, Norhizam said that about 600 residents of Taman Akasia wanted the shortcut closed because of the increasing number of accidents and motorcycle thefts in their area.
He said the closure was made according to the law, with approval from the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ).
"The villagers can actually use Jalan Pulau Nibong, which is parallel to Jalan Akasia 4, to get to Jalan Batu Berendam main road," Norhizam told reporters after chairing a dialogue session between the residents and the villagers to discuss the issue.
He added that Jalan Pulau Nibong, which is a reserve road for the Drainage and Irrigation Department to carry out maintenance works on the adjacent Melaka River, had also been paved at a cost of RM120,000 for the comfort of the villagers.
The Malaysian Insight also reported that Norhizam did not blame those who had labelled him as a "rude YB" but was sad that people did not know the truth and could not accept the reality of the situation.
"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," he said.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/10/09/melaka-exco-says-viral-video-does-not-reflect-actual-situation/#slbkQvkvBCc6WWJS.99
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