Perlis BN has nominated its Tambun Tulang assemblyperson Ismail Kassim to become the new Perlis menteri besar.

Perlis BN chairperson Shahidan Kassim, who is Ismail’s older brother, announced this to reporters upon arriving at the Alor Setar airport today.

He said his party handed a letter on the nomination to Perlis ruler Raja Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail at 11.30am this morning.

“BN has agreed to propose Ismail Kassim as the Perlis menteri besar candidate. I have delivered the letter on BN’s behalf to His Majesty, and His Majesty would abide by the constitution.

“The menteri besar shall be appointed from someone who has the support of the majority of the assembly members,” he said.

Ismail won the Tambun Tulang seat with a majority of 1,180 votes, defeating PKR’s Maton Din and PAS’ A Bakar Ali.

When asked however, Shahidan declined to comment on why caretaker menteri besar Azlan Man is being replaced, only stating that he is performing his duties as state BN chairperson.

Azlan won the Bintong state seat with a 847-vote majority against PKR’s Mokhtar Che Kassim and PAS’ Abd Jamil Kamis.

“If you want to dig everything out, I won’t be able tell all. We have made a decision and that is the decision.

"Questions about anything else should be directed at others, my job is just that as (Umno state) liaison committee (chairperson) and Perlis (BN) chairperson,” he said.

Shahidan (photo) also denied claims circulating on social media that Perlis BN assemblypersons would defect to join Pakatan Harapan, pointing out that Perlis BN won a two-thirds majority in the state assembly in Wednesday's polls. 

BN won ten seats, compared to three seats won by PKR and two by PAS.

Shahidan was also asked about the possibility of BN assemblypersons defecting out of concern that Perlis may not receive as much federal allocations, now that Harapan is occupying Putrajaya.  

He replied, “Whoever (claims to) know about this funding issue should not give their opinions on matters beyond their knowledge. I am among the people familiar with Perlis and the federal government’s position, and people know I’m the sort of person who always look after and prioritise the rakyat.

“(Perlis) has no issues with finances and so on. We will move on with our lives and will implement our manifesto in Perlis,” he said.