NOT everyone in Sabak Bernam who voted for Umno’s Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh in the 14th general election is happy with his decision to leave the party, with some calling on him to step down.

Voters in this semi-rural parliamentary constituency 100km north of Kuala Lumpur also want Fasiah to explain his reasons for leaving the party. 

Some questioned his integrity for continuing to hold on to the seat, which he retained in the last general election on a Barisan Nasional ticket.

Sabak Bernam resident Ahmad Jais Zahdi, 48, said although it was Fasiah’s right to leave Umno, it was not ethical and moral.

“If you owe people (Umno), you have to pay your debts (by being loyal).

“We can’t blame him 100% as he might have his reasons. But he has insulted the voters by leaving,” he told The Malaysian Insight recently.

Ahmad said Umno supporters had worked hard during GE14 to ensure Fasiah’s victory.

“The leaders have always said MPs must be loyal to the party despite whatever situation.

“If he really wants to help the people, he should step down and then he will get his integrity back,” he said.

On December 14, six Umno MPs, including Fasiah, left the party to become independents. They are expected to join Bersatu.

In GE14, Fasiah retained the Sabak Bernam seat with a reduced majority of 1,674 votes, defeating Bersatu’s Warno Dogol and PAS’ Muhamad Labib Abd Jalil.

Sabak Bernam was one of only two federal seats won by BN in Selangor. The other was Tanjung Karang. There are 22 parliamentary constituencies in the state.

Another resident, who wants to be known as Naza, 62, said by quitting Umno, Fasiah had abandoned the responsibility and mandate given to him by the people.

“He should serve the people and not serve himself. That is why the people voted him in.” 

Naza added that he had not seen Fasiah in a long time around the area.

“We haven’t seen him at any function here. If the people see him, they might chastise him for leaving Umno,” he said.

However, Sabak Bernam Umno chief Abdul Rahman Bakri said Fasiah’s departure has not caused any trouble in the division, indicating that the party’s strength on the ground remained intact. 

Nothing has changed and the Umno division is still solid despite Fasiah leaving, he said.

The same sentiment was expressed by plantation worker Zulkefli Abu Hassan, 51, who said Fasiah won only with the help of the Umno machinery.

“We worked hard to ensure he won. But seven months later, he left the party and we don’t know why.

“We have been hearing about Umno MPs jumping ship but we never expected Fasiah to leave.

“We are disappointed that he left without an explanation,” he said.

Retiree Mohd Khairi Yunus, 66, said he has known Fasiah for a long time and that he is a good man.

“Over the years, he has given aid to the poor and also helped schoolchildren by providing supplies.

“We understand he is in the opposition now and they don’t get much allocation. But we are not asking for anything.

“So, I don’t see a reason why he must leave.” – December 24, 2018.