Having grown up in a squatter area in Sungai Besi, the 11th child in a family of 13 siblings has experienced first-hand the hardships life can offer.

“I know how hard life is. If you are a ‘nobody’, you will not be respected. You have to fight your way out of poverty,” Fazil told FMT.

Better known as “Ayahanda Cik Ton”, Fazil is Perikatan Nasional’s Pandan Indah candidate in the coming Selangor state election.

The leader of a coalition of 62 non-governmental organisations, Fazil regularly goes to the aid of the oppressed, particularly those who are victims of extortion and loan sharks, sometimes risking his life in the process.

Stepping into politics seemed like the natural progression for the heavily built 49-year-old man of the people.

Feted as a hero by those he has helped along the way, Fazil’s popularity has on occasion landed him in awkward situations.

“I am just friendly and like to help friends in need. We tend to show up in a group, so maybe that’s why some see us as gangsters.

“But I am not a gangster. I have never robbed anyone, nor have I ever been arrested,” he said.

Instead, he describes himself as a vigilante whose path has led him to politics.

A husband to four wives and father of 15, Fazil is especially popular among the youths.

Tailed by a bunch of youngsters, he was easy to spot at PN’s event announcing its state election candidates in Taman Medan recently.

“I am not a celebrity, so I am not used to the pressure and am uncomfortable in the spotlight, but I am slowly getting used to the attention,” said Fazil, who has a massive 200,000 followers on TikTok.

He acknowledged that he must set a good example to his young following who admire him and are influenced by his actions.

Fazil is vying for the Pandan Indah seat against Amanah Selangor chairman Izham Hashim, who held the seat previously. The other contenders are Muda’s Lisa Redzuan and independent candidate R Sivaneswaran.

In the 14th general election, Izham won with a huge 16,386-vote majority.