By Chantalé Fletcher
FORMER MP for Ortoire\Mayaro the late Razack Ali held many titles to his name and has been described as a true servant of the people.
He had a love for family, an endless desire to help those in need and reading.
Ali passed away on Wednesday evening at 87 years old. He had been sick for some time.
He served as the United National Congress (UNC) Member of Parliament for Ortoire-Mayaro under the late Basdeo Panday administration from 1995 to 2000.
After he defeated the People’s National Movement (PNM) candidate Keith Sobion to win the marginal Mayaro seat.
On Thursday, AZP News spoke to his daughter Ruth Ali, who described her father as “a man for the people.”
She said her father was all about representation and first got into politics in 1956 under the stewardship of the late Dr Eric Williams.
“My father had a passion for helping people and worked assiduously in his constituency in which he lived.
“He was a no nonsense man and very straightforward. If he could not do something that was out of his hands, he would let them know but still tried to find avenues to get the job done.”
Ruth described him as a family man, a loving and devoted father and husband.
She said, “He wanted to ensure we got the right education and made it his duty to ensure that it happened.”
Ruth laughed as she reminisced when her father would check their school work.
She said, “If you did not have homework, he would give us the dictionary to read and have us learn new words from it. So you’d always have homework.
“My father used to say, no one can take away your qualifications, the more certificates the merrier,”
She told AZP News, Ali was well organised and very particular about his home.
Ruth said he would give them instructions without being there and they would find what was needed.
Ali loved Christmas and as such involved his 11 children in its traditions, taught them the importance of celebration but also giving.
She said he made it his duty to ensure those less fortunate would get something for Christmas, even if it meant one hamper.
“No one was left out and everyone got something.”
Ruth said her father had a simple but effective schooling.
“He attended Commercial School in those days and pursued business-related studies,” she explained.
Watching debates in parliament and reading were two things Ali enjoyed.
Ruth said this love fuelled his desire to learn and such she described him as self taught in the political arena.
Yet she stressed that his greatest teachers were his experiences, “as he started from the ground level and came up.”
Ali was a councillor for many terms before he became Chairman of the Mayaro \Rio Claro Regional Corporation from 1983 to 1985, and then 1988 to 1992.
Afterwards he became the Member of Parliament for Ortoire\Mayaro from 1995 to 2000.
Ruth said her father never fought an election and lost.
Among his many achievements, Ali also served as a Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and acted as the substantive minister.
He was also the Secretary for the Wood Workers Union where he helped advocate for the rights of workers.
Ali’s work continued even after retirement, as his passion for reading evolved into him writing his own biography which was yet to be published.
Funeral arrangements are still being finalised.
Meanwhile, on the announcement of his passing, many persons have since expressed condolences to his family.
Former transport minister under the People’s Partnership, Devant Maharaj described Ali as a “dedicated member of the UNC.”
Maharaj said, “Razack Ali played a significant role in representing the interests of his constituents in Mayaro, a region known for its diverse community and rich natural resources.”
Current MP for Mayaro Rushton Paray also paid tribute to Ali.
Paray described him as “a devoted and hard-working representative” who honourably served his large and diverse constituency.
“He worked tirelessly to secure employment and educational opportunities, and to improve infrastructure, healthcare, and utility services. Mr. Ali’s dedication to public service was evident in his achievements and commitment.
“On behalf of all constituents of Mayaro, I extend my deepest condolences to his many loved ones. May he rest in eternal peace.”
