PETALING JAYA: Ismail Kassim, the younger brother of Perikatan Nasional’s Arau MP Shahidan Kassim, died today. He was 63.
The former Tambun Tulang assemblyman’s death was confirmed by Padang Besar Umno deputy chief Azizan Sulaiman, according to Utusan Malaysia.
Ismail is believed to have died from a heart attack at home.
He won the Tambun Tulang seat in 2013 and 2018 on a Barisan Nasional ticket.
However, he failed to defend the seat in the last general election (GE15), when Perlis also held its state polls, losing to PN’s Wan Zikri Afthar Ishak.
He had also served as Arau MP between 2008 and 2013.
Ismail had quit Umno in July 2018 and was linked to join Bersatu, though this did not materialise. He rejoined Umno in 2020.