Ismail Kassim quits Umno, wants to join PPBM (Updated)

KANGAR: Tambun Tulang assemblyman Datuk Ismail Kassim has quit Umno and claims that he is now looking to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia. The brother of Perlis Barison Nasional (BN) chairman, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, said he made the decision as he had lost confidence in the party's leadership.
"I have now become an independent candidate. I made the decision after taking into consideration several factors," he said.
Ismail, who was once even put forward as a mentri besar candidate by Perlis BN, said he was doing this without his brother's decision.
Ismail joined Umno at the age of 28 and has held several key positions, including state Umno Youth chief and Arau Umno Youth chief.
With regards to this latest development, a senior state executive councillor said he was confident that the political situation here was still stable.
Azizan Sulaiman, a senior state exco member and Santan assemblyman stressed that it was business as usual in Perlis.
"But I find such reports to be fishy. It may be fake news as I have yet to receive word from Ismail. I doubt the authenticity."
If it is nonetheless true, Azizan said that BN can carry on to administer the state.
"We have still nine assemblymen. A simple majority to get things done."
Both Ismail and Shahidan could not be reached for comment. Shahidan is said to be ailing with some muscle discomfort in his legs.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man also could not be reached for comment.
BN now only has nine state seats and two out of three parliament seats. Pakatan Harapan has two states and one parliament seat, while PAS has three state seats.