Everybody, just everybody, loves Ibrahim Ali

Ibrahim Ali may be called many things - chauvinist, racist, extremist. But his constituents in Pasir Mas, Kelantan have nothing but lovely things to say about him.

Welcome to Pasir Mas - population 260,000 - although the latest published Elections Commission rolls place a figure of 59,600 voters in the semi-rural area, 96 percent of whom are Malay.

The maverick lawmaker who often rubs people the wrong way with his hardline persona when espousing Malay rights, almost appears to have a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality once he goes back home.

Darling of the locals, they find Ibrahim (right) humble and generous, often giving out handouts to the poor and ever ready to lend a helping hand or two to those in need.

Whether it is a few thousand ringgit to fix the roof of the mosque, or a "soft loan" to help a small-time entrepreneur kick start his business, the locals can count on him.

In fact, the locals speak highly of him when they talk about the 'Ibrahim Ali bridge' which spans across the mighty Kelantan river (left).

Rumour around town has it that it was because of his connections, that he secured construction of the bridge, benefiting many of the town folk.

Some, however, have accused him of receiving kickbacks from the project.

Caring for blue-eyed crowd

"He actually keeps a very low profile when he turun padang (getting down to the ground). Just a few weeks ago, he came town and gave RM10,000 to fix the roof of our mosque," said Amir Mohd Yusof, a 43-year-old businessman.

Abdul Hadi Ibrahim, trader (left), 50, also said that he is not stingy when dishing out aid, especially during elections.

"He takes care of his blue-eyed boys and girls in Pasir Mas," he said, while peeling onions at the market square.

When the Malaysiakini team took a stroll around the town centre, also known as the 'business district' of the constituency, it was easy to see that the traders and business community were taken by him.

However, one must take note that the locals might sing a different tune further into the PAS hinterlands.

There was also split opinion among the townfolk over Ibrahim's involvement with Malay rights NGO Perkasa, which he founded in 2008 and presides over, and by which he reaps for himself huge crop of headlines as well as public attention.

While some of the participants in the street poll were not aware of the organisation, those who were approve it.

The fly in the ointment

Abdul Jalil Taib, a 62-year-old taxi driver who operates near the market square said that Perkasa is a good platform for Ibrahim to consolidate his support.

"But I don't know if he has any ulterior motives behind it," he said.

However, many of his voters, who delivered him a thumping 9,000-vote majority in the 2008 polls, are tired of his defection antics.

"A lot of people are upset with him. Some say he has no standards now," said Abdul Jalil (above) when asked what the locals thought about him being "BN-friendly" despite contesting under the PAS banner in the last outing.

A quick straw poll showed many also agree that he would be "obliterated" if he were to contest under the Umno ticket.

"If he were to contest under Umno, it'll be 100 percent KO (knocked out) for him," said Amir, laughing at the notion.

A woman buying fruits who wanted to be known only as Kak Nah (right) also said that his chances would be brighter contesting as an independent, not as an Umno man.

"If under bulan (PAS symbol of a white full moon), he will win. If Umno, he will lose. If payung (umbrella, one of the symbols allowed by the Elections Commission for independent candidates), 50-50," she said.

In and out

The veteran politician, who made his political debut in the 1986 general elections as an Umno candidate, before leaving for the splinter party, Semangat 46, following Kelantan prince Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

When he left Semangat 46 in 1991, Ibrahim rejoined Umno with much fanfare, but was given the boot on a permanent basis when he stood as an independent in the 2004 polls and lost.

He tried again as an independent in the 2005 Pengkalan Pasir by-election and fell again. This time he lost his deposit, garnering only 415 votes.

But whether or not his voters are turned off by his flip-flop behaviour where political allegiance is concerned, there is no question that Ibrahim Ali has stamped his mark among the locals.