Malacca exco member Norhizam Hassan Baktee has reportedly denied testing positive for the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that has triggered a global health emergency.

Contrary to rumours, The Star today quoted him saying that he was merely warded at a state-owned hospital for a case of common flu.

“No, I am not warded in hospital for coronavirus as claimed by some mischievous parties, I am perfectly fine,” he reportedly told the English-language daily.

The exco member in charge of agriculture, agro-based, entrepreneur development and cooperatives reportedly said he had just returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca and had probably contracted the flu during his travel.

He said after returning on Feb 1, he felt feverish the next day, so he decided to go for a medical check-up where doctors advised that he should be warded.

The DAP man is hoping to be discharged soon as he was feeling better.

In October 2018, Norhizam had claimed that he transforms into the “Hulk” whenever his constituents were bullied. 

He said this in response to a viral video showing him in a heated argument with a group of residents from Taman Akasia, Malacca.