Ismail Kassim

This is a Malay name; the name Kassim is a patronymic, not a family name, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Ismail.
Yang Berhormat Dato'
Ismail Kassim
MLA, D.P.M.P., S.M.P., A.M.P.
Member of the Perlis State Legislative Assembly for Tambun Tulang
Incumbent
Assumed office
2013
Preceded by Shahidan Kassim
Member of the Parliament of Malaysia for Arau, Perlis
In office
2008–2013
Preceded by Syed Razlan Syed Putra Syed Jamalullail
Succeeded by Shahidan Kassim
Personal details
Born 2 October 1959
Tambun Tulang, Perlis, Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia)
Political party United Malays National Organisation – BN
Relations Shahidan Kassim (brother)
Occupation Politician
Religion Sunni Islam

Dato' Ismail Kassim (born 2 October 1959) is a Malaysian politician and is the member of the Perlis State Legislative Assembly for Tambun Tulang. From 2008 to 2013 he was a member of the federal parliament for the Arau constituency in Perlis.[1] He is a member of the governing United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party[1] and the brother of the former Chief Minister of Perlis, Shahidan Kassim.[2]

Early in his political career, Ismail served as the head of UMNO's youth wing in Perlis.[3] He contested the federal seat of Arau in a by-election in 1998, but was defeated by Hashim Jasin of PAS.[4] His candidacy in 1998 was marred by accusations of cronyism arising from his brother's position as Menteri Besar of Perlis.[5] At the time, UMNO was bleeding support due to allegations by supporters of UMNO leadership contender Anwar Ibrahim of cronyism and nepotism within the party. Selecting the brother of the state's Chief Minister as UMNO's candidate did little to neutralise the allegations. Ismail's defeat was the first time that UMNO had lost a parliamentary seat in Perlis to PAS.[6]

Ismail was later appointed to the Dewan Negara (Senate),[7] before re-contesting and winning Arau ten years later, in the 2008 general election, defeating his Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) opponent by a 300 vote margin.[8][9] His predecessor, Syed Razlan Syed Putra, had held the seat with a majority of 3,243.[10]

For the 2013 election, Ismail switched seats with his brother, Shahidan: Ismail moved to the Perlis State Assembly, winning the seat of Tambun Tulang, which his brother had held since 1995, while Shahidan contested and won the federal seat of Arau.

Election results

Parliament of Malaysia: P003 Arau, Perlis[8]
Year Government Votes Pct Opposition Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
2008 Ismail Kassim (UMNO) 16,451 50.32% Haron Din (PAS) 16,151 49.41% 33,276 300 83.45%
State Assembly of Perlis: N12 Tambun Tulang[8]
Year Government Votes Pct Opposition Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
2013 Ismail Kassim (UMNO) 5,286 65.20% Azhar Ameir (PKR) 2,805 34.60% 8,260 2,481 87.65%

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Ismail bin Kasim, Y.B. Dato'". Parliament of Malaysia. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  2. ↑ "Ismail: Pas' confidence in Arau win mere political gimmick". New Straits Times. 28 February 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  3. ↑ Shahrum Sayuthi (27 March 2001). "Main issue in Perlis is whether party is ready for new blood". New Straits Times (New Straits Times Press). Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  4. ↑ "Arau defeat: Report ready". New Straits Times (New Straits Times Press). 13 July 1998. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  5. ↑ "UMNO Youth changes stance on allegation of nepotism, cronyism". New Straits Times (New Straits Times Press). 10 July 1998. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  6. ↑ Stewart, Ian (2003). The Mahathir Legacy: A Nation Divided, a Region at Risk. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. p. 74. ISBN 1-86508-977-X.
  7. ↑ Kaur, Manjit (24 February 2008). "Two years for Shahidan?". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Malaysia Decides 2008". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  9. ↑ "Coalition repeats 2004 victory in Perlis". The Star (Malaysia). 9 March 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  10. ↑ "Malaysia Decides 2008 (2004 results)". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 20 December 2009.