KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 -- In Setiawangsa last night, a resident stood up at a dialogue session to complain about abandoned cars in Seksyen 6, Wangsa Maju. Another wanted roads resurfaced. Others asked about a proposed development near Bukit Dinding.

For nearly an hour, the discussion sounded much like any meeting between voters and their elected representative.

There was only one difference.

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad is no longer the MP for Setiawangsa.

Yet at his first dialogue with residents since resigning the seat last month, many in the audience still turned to him as though he remained the person responsible for solving their local problems.

The former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister listened patiently as r...