Ismail Kassim wants to join PKR, after rejection by Bersatu

Former Perlis Umno leader Ismail Kassim is now seeking to join PKR after his application to join Bersatu was rejected.

The Tambun Tulang assemblyperson, who quit Umno last month, said he chose PKR as the party was not like Umno.

"Whichever party I join, I don't want the old ways in the party. For now I see that PKR is quite open and that all decisions go through consensus. I'm considering joining PKR because it is exciting," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

Oddly, the younger brother of former minister Shahidan Kassim is applying to join PKR in Pokok Sena, Kedah, instead of in Perlis.

Malaysiakini understands that PKR has yet to decide on his membership application.

On June 20, Ismail quit Umno, claiming he had lost faith in the party's leadership.

This followed a crisis in Perlis after the 14th general election, in which Ismail was rejected as a candidate to head the state government as menteri besar.

He tried to join Bersatu, but the state chapter rejected him, calling him an “enemy”.

In contrast, Ismail said he had many friends in PKR.

"I don't want to join (PKR) to become a leader to replace my friends, no. I want to be a regular member who is active as an assemblyperson, and if asked to contribute ideas for party activities, I will join in as a regular member," he said. - Mkini