GE14 | Even the pouring rain could not stop the whirlwind personality of Azwan Ali, who is contesting as an independent in the Bukit Antarabangsa state seat against his estranged brother and two-term incumbent Mohamed Azmin Ali.

As he was stirring woks of chicken and beef rendang to be given away free to voters today, Azwan unveiled his own five-point manifesto, which includes a pledge to combat corruption.

"This (corruption) is very serious.

"Not only in the opposition, but the government of (caretaker prime minister) Najib Abdul Razak is also full of this propa (nonsense), so I will fight!" said Azwan, who sometimes refers to himself as ‘Diva AA.’

Other points in Azwan's manifesto, printed with his image on the cover, included addressing local issues from dengue infections to clogged drains, as well as larger concerns such as the lack of affordable housing.

He also promised to continue giving away free rendang and yellow pulut every Sunday for the next five years if he wins in Bukit Antarabangsa, and every day of the first week after his victory.

"The salary of a YB is RM15,000... Don't tell me just cooking like this you still need to think about it?

“Where are you planning to take all your wealth (after death)?" he asked.

'A nice guy'

For about two hours, the TV personality feted the media and voters who came to his stall set up by the side of the road.

Businessperson Nasir Arshad (photo), 63, who came to observe the goings on, told Malaysiakini he was satisfied with Azmin as the incumbent, but was willing to give Azwan a chance.

"We are open minded. I am satisfied with our assemblyperson, but I'm also willing to give another person a chance," said the long-term Bukit Antarabangsa resident.

Another voter, Badrol Nizam, similarly said he viewed Azwan's decision to contest as being a part of the democratic process.

"There is a difference between your instinct and your mind. Your mind can lie but your instinct can't.

"The most important thing is that he (Azwan) is friendly with the people," he said.

Airline staff Zatina Mat Piah, 46, said Azwan is a "nice guy" despite his penchant for crude language and vulgarities.

"Maybe there is even a chance he could win," said Zatina, a Bukit Antarabangsa resident for 16 years.

The state seat will witness a is five-way contest between Azwan, Azmin, BN's Salwa Yunus, PAS' Sharifah Haslizah Syed Ariffin and PRM's Ahmad Kamaruddin.