PETALING JAYA: Tambun Tulang assemblyman Datuk Ismail Kassim tonight confirmed rumours that he has joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
“After one-and-a-half years observing and weighing my options, I finally made my decision to join Bersatu,” said the younger brother of Umno stalwart Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
The 59-year-old Ismail said he had wanted to wait for an official announcement from Bersatu before he broke the news to the media, but the rumour mill beat him to it.
“It is not a decision which I made overnight. I thought of it for almost a year-and-half, after not being in any political parties.”
Ismail joined Umno some 30 years ago at the age of 28 and used to hold positions such as state Umno Youth chief and Arau Umno Youth chief. He quit Umno in June last year.
“I spoke to many experienced politicians, among them Tun Daim and a few others who laid out the pros and cons of what was ahead.
“So, I made a call and from now onwards I am officially a Bersatu member,” he told the New Straits Times.
Ismail, who was once named as a candidate for menteri besar by Perlis Barisan Nasional (BN), said his decision was based on two main concern — the credibility of a leader and the leadership in reviving the country and how best he could serve his people through his decision.
“Another thing which I realised in the past one-and-a-half years as an independent was that my service to my constituents was affected because I was working all alone.
“Although, the local agencies and departments were cooperative, some of the issues brought to me, could been dealt with more easily if I had represented a party.
“It is different when you represent a party and when you do things on your own.”
He said although Bersatu and Umno shared almost the same essence in their spirit and struggle, things happening within the BN component member had led him to believe that leaving the party was the right thing to do.
“I have no doubt in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s leadership. And, for the experience and knowledge he has, I most certainly believe that he will revive the country and its economy in due time.”
Despite defecting to Bersatu, Ismail said he still had many friends from Umno and hoped that his decision would not be misunderstood.
Ismail said he would continue to do his best to carry out his duties as an assemblyman under Bersatu.