Azman said as far as he knew, the Tambun Tulang assemblyman’s application form had not reached the party’s political bureau, which will decide on his membership.
“There is a process to go through. He can submit, but it is up to the political bureau to decide. Nothing is automatic as far as party membership is concerned.
“Furthermore, there is no guarantee he will be accepted,” the Kuala Kedah MP told FMT when contacted.
Azman’s response followed a report by Utusan Online that Perlis PKR chairman Mohd Faisol Abd Rahman had rejected Ismail’s application.
Ismail, the younger brother of Perlis Umno chief Shahidan Kassim, was nominated as a candidate for Perlis menteri besar after the May 9 general election.
However, Azlan Man was appointed for a second term, sparking a standoff between the palace and Barisan Nasional.
Ismail subsequently left Umno and BN, citing a loss of confidence in its leaders.
He was initially said to be interested in signing up with PPBM, which is led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
However, he reportedly said he was attracted to PKR instead due to the cooperation between veteran leaders and new faces in the party. He added that he was friends with some of them, including Azman and Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul.