I suggested once to make the name and id unique because of this issue. It’s not only a pain with ajaxLink, but with all Ajax functions, when generated separately (as with Ajax calls), they will get the same id’s.
I tend to agree with Backslider, the whole idea of "unobtrusive javascript" is getting antique more and more every day. Sure, there will always be some cavemen left over surfing the web with lynx or IE 3.2.
If you build a website with some Ajax elements, ok, you can use the supplied functions.
My biggest concern with Ajax is focussed on one thing only: SEO. That is also the only reason I believe the (currently chosen) Yii way is not that bad.