Tambun Tulang assemblyperson Ismail Kassim (above, extreme right) has dismissed concerns aired by the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail that he is merely a puppet.

Instead, Ismail said, he had once been one of the top executives in the country, as chairperson of the National Water Services Commission (Span).

"Tuanku does not know me. I was a big chairperson, not a diplomatic administrator, but chair of a commission. The commission is under the Agong.

"I was the only chairperson who received executive powers from the prime minister at the time. I had executive powers, meaning I did not have to refer to the prime minister for every decision I made," Ismail said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur last night.

He was Span chairperson from November 2011 until October 2016.

Ismail said his appointment also meant that he was a charismatic and credible individual.

Earlier today, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said that he did not appoint Ismail as Perlis menteri besar because he feared he would be a puppet.

This was believed to be a veiled swipe at Ismail's brother, Perlis Umno chief Shahidan Kassim, who the monarch said should have contested a state seat if he wanted to be menteri besar.

Umno today boycotted the swearing-in ceremony of Perlis menteri besar Azlan Man, who was chosen for the post by the state ruler.

Ismail said the issue of being a puppet should not be of any further concern as he has withdrawn his name as a menteri besar candidate.

He went on to urge the Raja of Perlis to pick someone else for the post, but not him or Azlan.

Related reports:

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Ruler's fear: Perlis MB will be a puppet if he's Shahidan's brother

Hours after being sworn in as MB, Azlan gets sacked from Umno

Azlan Man sworn in as Perlis MB, other BN state reps missing

Perlis MB crisis example why youth sick of Umno, Puteri chief says