He was one of only two Indo-Fijians to agree to serve in the interim government established in the wake of two military coups carried out to assert indigenous political supremacy in 1987.
He then took on a career in the public service becoming Permanent Secretary for Youth, Employment Opportunities and Sports, Foreign Affairs and External Trade and Information and Communications.
Following the parliamentary election held in 2001 to restore democracy following the coup d'état the year before, Ali was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Qarase.
Ali was subsequently chosen as Vice-President of the Senate, a position he held until 20 December 2004, when he was appointed Minister for Information and Media Relations in the Qarase cabinet.
Time constraints made it impossible for any Cabinet colleagues of Ali's to attend the funeral, which had to be held the day after his death in accordance with Muslim protocol.
Supporters and opponents alike praised Ali for his love and loyalty to Fiji, and for his willingness to serve his country in a multitude of capacities.