{
  "id": 12193503,
  "title": "‘YB Hulk’ ready to contest any seat in Melaka polls",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/yb-hulk-ready-to-contest-any-seat-in-melaka-polls-12193503",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T15:55:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/05/yb-hulk-ready-to-contest-any-seat-in-melaka-polls"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the run-up to the upcoming Melaka election, former Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Norhizam Hassan Baktee, affectionately known as \"YB Hulk\", remains open to contesting any seat in the polls. The deputy chief of the Hang Tuah Jaya Bersatu faction has expressed his readiness to accept any decision made by the party's leadership regarding his participation in the election.\n\nNorhizam, who previously served as an elected representative and Melaka executive councillor, indicated that he would be content with being nominated for any state seat if entrusted by the party. He stated to FMT that he has no issue if another candidate is deemed more suitable for the Pengkalan Batu seat.\n\nThe former Pengkalan Batu assemblyman emphasized that Melaka voters seek representatives who are close to them and readily available to address their concerns, regardless of the time or circumstances. Having previously represented Pengkalan Batu in the 14th general election in 2018, Norhizam lost the seat in the Melaka state election in 2021 after being sacked by the DAP.\n\nEarlier, Melaka Bersatu information chief Hishamuddin Karim suggested that Pengkalan Batu might not be among the seats the party would contest in the upcoming state election. Hishamuddin's comments were made in response to media reports quoting Norhizam as expressing his intention to contest in the Melaka polls and his desire to continue serving the residents of Pengkalan Batu, claiming that the community needs his assistance.",
  "summary": "Former Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Norhizam Hassan Baktee says it is up to voters to assess his track record.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Bersatu to contest under own logo in Melaka, open to pacts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/bersatu-to-contest-under-own-logo-in-melaka-open-to-pacts",
        "published": "2026-10-05T11:11:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Bersatu ready to discuss cooperation for Melaka polls",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/bersatu-ready-to-discuss-cooperation-for-melaka-polls",
        "published": "2026-10-05T12:40:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}