Muslim community, Kembangan residents stunned by Faishal Ibrahim’s resignation

“He’s very careful, especially when female residents come to him for selfies,” said Mr Benny Lian, who was a grassroots volunteer at Nee Soon Central with Assoc Prof Faishal when he was an MP there.

“He gets someone else to be with him in the photo … he will say, ‘Benny, we come together to take’,” he added. 

Another grassroots volunteer, Mr Lewis Yong, said that Assoc Prof Faishal was a family-oriented person.

Mr Yong, who assisted Assoc Prof Faishal at Nee Soon Central from 2015 to 2025, recounted how he would often have breakfast with his wife before going to work. 

He also joined gatherings with grassroots leaders, such as at birthday celebrations, with his wife. 

“We were close enough that during our birthdays, we would come together and makan (eat), and he would send a cake and come to look for me,” he said. 

Assoc Prof Faishal was also seen as selfless, often going above and beyond to help residents, recounted the grassroots volunteers. 

For instance, he initiated a project about 10 years ago to help lower-income residents purchase groceries at a lower price. He would often use his own car to fetch residents with mobility issues to and from their houses, said Mr Yong. 

Hearing about Assoc Prof Faishal’s resignation was difficult to stomach for both. 

“I was with him almost every day… He didn’t have time for this kind of nonsense,” said Mr Yong. “I can’t accept it.” 

Mr Lim said that Assoc Prof Faishal was “not that kind of person”. 

Mr Lian added: “I’m very shocked, very sad; as I tell you this, it’s like I’m going to cry.”