{
  "id": 18322441,
  "title": "Melaka polls: Bersatu candidate demands public apology over old viral video",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/melaka-polls-bersatu-candidate-demands-public-apology-over-old-viral",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T14:05:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/11/1571738/melaka-polls-bersatu-candidate-demands-public-apology-over-old-viral"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Melaka, a Bersatu candidate seeking re-election has demanded a public apology from those responsible for sharing a viral video that has tarnished his reputation. Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee, who is seeking the Pengkalan Batu seat, gave those who posted the video a 24-hour window to clear his name, claiming he will take legal action if his reputation is not restored.\n\nThe video, which emerged on social media platform Threads, allegedly shows Norhizam in an altercation with a local authority officer over the removal of potted plants at his residence. Norhizam asserts that the video is an old recording, though he is unsure of the exact date of the incident. He emphasizes that the video's re-sharing has significantly damaged his standing as he prepares for the upcoming Melaka state election.\n\nNorhizam acknowledged that he did not need to escalate the matter beyond legal avenues if his name was not cleared within the stipulated time frame. He characterized the situation as psychological warfare by those concerned about his political return to the constituency.",
  "summary": "MELAKA: A Bersatu candidate in the state election has given those responsible for circulating a video linking him to an altercation with a local authority officer 24 hours to issue a public apology and clear his name, failing which he will take legal action.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}