Ibrahim Ali: I'm an Islamic nationalist
Stepping into Ibrahim Ali's office in the Grand Seasons Hotel along Jalan Pahang is like walking back in time. The wall to his office is decorated with old pictures of him with leaders past and present.
Stepping into Ibrahim Ali's office in the Grand Seasons Hotel along Jalan Pahang is like walking back in time. The wall to his office is decorated with old pictures of him with leaders past and present.
It's a veritable who's who as he is pictured with former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former Deputy Prime Minister, Ghafar Baba, Anwar Ibrahim and even the talismanic Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini.
Yet the 58-year-old Pasir Mas MP is aware that unlike the leaders he's been pictured with, his own reputation is less than stellar. He's been called a frog, an ape and even something of a bad boy.
However, Ibrahim, a former deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department, wants to correct the misconception that as a politician it is all right to switch parties as long as one continues to serve the people and not engage in corruption.
He said he does not mind the name-calling, but he said at times circumstances forced him to jump to another party. However, he acknowledged that he revelled of being party-less or an independent till now.
Leaving Umno for Semangat 46
Ibrahim was a former Berjasa member in Kelantan and became an Umno member heading the Kampung Pecah Semak branch in 1981. In 1987 he joined the ranks of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's Team B, going against prime minister and Umno president Mahathir.
The Pasir Mas MP joined Tengku Razaleigh in Semangat 46, but according to him former Premier Hussein Onn said that if the party (Semangat 46) did not make any headway in the 1990 elections it would be worth Umno's while to once more unite.
"For this reason, I left Semangat 46 and rejoined Umno following the (Hussein's) advice,"he said.
Malaysiakini: When you left Semangat 46, how did you feel?
Ibrahim: I was cursed between 1992 and 1995. I retained the Pasir Mas parliament seat in 1990 under Semangat 46, after winning it under the Umno ticket in 1986. People claim I was bought and had been paid to join Umno.
In the 1995, general election I lost. I think that is where Dr Mahathir saw who I really was, despite my going against him in the 1987 contest. He knows that I am vocal but he also knows that I rejoined Umno, not because I wanted riches or positions, but to strengthen the Malays.
It was to help the people. I helped get the Tendong bridge project, playing a role in asking Dr Mahathir to enlarge the Kota Bharu airport.
What about your reputation as a frog?
I do not know why people label me such. Hussein (Onn) once left Umno to join his father's party. Similarly, Anwar Ibrahim was critical (of Umno) while in Abim and then he joined Umno. Later he was sacked and formed PKR, why not call him a frog?
What about Marina Yusof (former Umno Wanita leader and PKR member), Mohd Asri Muda (former Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS president) forming Hamim to be part of Barisan Nasional?
How about Rais Yatim, or Shabery Cheek, who were part of Semangat 46, and getting positions now? Or some leaders in Sabah they also switched parties why not label them as such?
Why do people call me frog, lotong (black long tailed monkey), ape? All the bad stories about Ibrahim Ali, how Ibrahim Ali is bad, while the others do not have a tarnished record.
What about the circumstances in your leaving Umno in 2003?
I held the Pasir Mas Umno division chief post for 11 years. After Dr Mahathir retired, and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took the reins there was a re-delineation exercise. Abdullah assured us that all division heads would be retained, however, suddenly I found my name to be the only one dropped.Dissatisfied, I decided to leave the party.
(For the record, he contested as an independent in the Pengkalan Pasir state by-election in 2005 and has remained an independent after taking the Pasir Mas parliamentary seat.
Have you been accused of corruption?
Despite holding various positions in the government like chairperson of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Board Authority and South Kelantan Development Authority, I have never been accused of corruption. Have you ever heard of Ibrahim Ali being linked to timber? No? Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God) after 25 to 30 years as a leader, I have never been charged or involved in corrupt activities.
Please look at my good side. I also fight for the betterment of religion, race and country. That is why I continue to remain vocal in parliament and my arguments are reported in the media because I am clean and I can say whatever I want.
Despite this, people call me ungrateful and that I jump because of my personal interests. However, you will find there is not one iota of corruption charges against me or any scandals. I will continue to remain vocal and that is why certain people are angry with me.
How do you want to be seen?
I want the society to view me not based on my move to another party. Who do you want as a leader, a person who does not switch parties, but is a corrupted individual, or a leader who is clean, but changes party? Who do you want? I want to be known as an Islamic nationalist.
People say I am not involved in scandals because I am too committed to my work. Say I flirt with or make a date with a girl, but if Dr Mahathir calls me, I will throw away the girl and meet Dr Mahathir. That is me, I am clean.
I also lead a simple life. My house in Bukit Melawati is given to me by my father-in-law. I still have the same house. No swimming pools, nothing. I spent RM600 to maintain this house while other politicians who live in multi million ringgit bungalows spent RM30,000 to RM40,000 in maintenance. My wife and I do not mind this.
If you want to be a good leader, you must be clean and seen to clean. That is why I continue to be vocal. It is not a matter about the party but abiding by the struggle to uplift the community.
