Lenggeng Umno state assemblyperson Ishak Ismail was declared a bankrupt by the High Court, paving the way for a possible by-election.

It is learnt that the veteran Negri Sembilan Umno leader would file an appeal.

The order declaring Ishak a bankrupt was made by the Seremban High Court on March 18 and Ishak is said to have received the order last month.

An elected person immediately loses his seat after being declared a bankrupt.

However, Negeri Sembilan Mentri Besar  Mohamad Hasan, who is also state Umno chief, said that Ishak's status as an assemblyperson remains until his appeal is heard.

According to The Star , the 64-year-old politician had failed to service a loan from businessman Misran Sukadi.

However, Ishak said he was only served the court order on April 27.

"My lawyer has submitted an application to set this aside and the matter would be heard at the High Court tomorrow," he told The Star .

In 2009, Ishak's no-holds barred speech at the Umno general assembly saw recordings of it being sold like hot cakes.

He had targetted various leaders, including Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

As for Zahid, he noted how the minister had a poor command of the English language in his younger days and had said "two zero dollars" instead of "twenty dollars".

Meanwhile, Election Commission (EC) Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the speaker has not notified him regarding the matter.

"Under the law, if you have been confirmed bankrupt, and you cannot settle (the bankruptcy), there would be casual vacancy," he told Malaysiakini .

However, he said if Ishak appeals and manages to settle the issue, a by-election would not be called.