MELAKA: The furore over two shortcuts in Bukit Beruang has been resolved amicably after Melaka Agriculture, Entrepreneur Development and Agro-based Committee chairman Norhizam Hassan Baktee and representatives of villagers agreed to put aside their differences.
Villagers also invited Norhizam to join them for Friday prayers at Kampung Pulau Nibong to show that they harbour no ill will over the Tuesday (Oct 9) incident.
Village elder Md Derus Tompang, the 58-year-old who was seen having a heated exchange with the Pengkalan Batu assemblyman in a viral video, said the issue is now closed.
“My fellow villagers welcome Norhizam with an open heart and hope netizens don’t continue to criticise anyone,” he said when contacted on Wednesday (Oct 10).
Md Derus also thanked Melaka DAP for arranging the meeting.
“We take it as a bygone issue and open a new chapter in our relationship,” he said.
Norhizam, meanwhile, apologised to the villagers and said he hoped the issue wouldn’t be prolonged.
“I hope the villagers understand that I had no ulterior motives when I arrived to resolve the issue and admit that I raised my voice,” he said.
Melaka DAP chairman Tey Kok Kiew and secretary Khoo Poay Tiong were also at the meeting.
In the viral video, Norhizam was seen in a heated dispute with villagers, and was accused of being uncouth.
Tuesday’s dialogue was arranged after some 600 residents of Taman Akasia demanded that the link connecting Pulau Nibong to Jalan Akasia 4 and Jalan Akasia 7 be closed following a spate of accidents and motorcycle thefts in the residential area.
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