Thoughts of a peaceful, sweet-scented afterlife weigh heavily on Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal, who says he continues to speak up on issues because he doesn't want those he serves to desecrate his grave by urinating on it.

"I'm an elected representative. I'm not representing myself or else I'll keep my mouth shut and keep my position. But I can't keep quiet because the people have many questions.

"I don't want it to be that when I die, my grave is urinated upon. (I don't want them to say) 'what kind of Semporna MP is this guy? He doesn't even do anything for his people or the country'," Shafie said in an interview at his office in Mont Kiara yesterday.