Tian Chua(or Chua Tian Chang) was a victim of injustice when on nomination day of GE14, the Election Commission officer disqualified him, and prevented him from contesting. Later, the High Court decided that what the EC Officer did was WRONG - and Tian Chua ought to have been allowed to contest, and would have likely won and should have been serving as a MP for Batu until recent dissolution of Parliament. A negligence or mistake made Tian Chua a victim of miscarriage of justice.
When disqualified, Tian Chua did consider the other independent candidates contesting for Batu, and finally one P Prabakaran, a young person of 22 running as an Independent was the 'lucky' one, who Tian Chua and PH chose to support for the purpose of winning Batu, thus ensuring the PH Plus the majority to take over Federal Government. Possibly a condition, so Prabakaran joined PKR. When Prabakaran won, he made history as being the youngest person elected as MP in Malaysia.
How did Prabakaran fare as an MP? Did he stand out in Parliament and outside Parliament raising significant issues - well not much until his last months as MP in 2022 when he was reported speaking out...
Batu MP P Prabakaran today called on Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to reshuffle the cabinet in an effort to stabilise the economy.
Prabakaran (above) questioned the capabilities of the current ministers who were only implementing task forces to deal with the rising cost of goods, adding that the positions should be made available for more qualified ministers.
“If all these ministers are only establishing task forces as a solution, only wanting to do research, what are the actual duties of these ministers and their deputies?
“It’s better for them to resign (from their positions) or for the prime minister to fire or reshuffle the cabinet to allow for more capable ministers and deputies to manage their respective ministries. -Malaysiakini, 9/7/2022
Batu MP P Prabakaran has condemned the use of race by the country's players and is urging Malaysians to move away from racism as a whole.
In a statement today, Prabakaran claimed that despite Pasir Puteh Bersatu vice-chief Borhanudin Che Rahim’s apology for using a racial slur to refer to national shutter S Kisona, the issue remains rampant among some political parties to gain political points.
“The party in government today does not respect the concept of the Malaysian Family touted by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob,” said Prabakaran.- 4/10/2021
Better than MPs that was reported speaking out on national issues, Prabakaran did once, whilst the other seems ethnic-linked but needed. Prabakaran was in the news for violating the MCO, and when his car was pelted with eggs. He could have done more, maybe Tian Chua would have spoken out more on justice and human rights issues. Remember an MP should not focus attention doing welfare work for his constituency, and we have the relevant Ministry/Department to do that, but an MP must be active in pushing for matters concerning national policy and laws that affect all Malaysians, not just his/her constituency. That really in Batu comes under the Local Government. Maybe, Prabakaran should make known what he did as an MP - did he report and have regular discussions with his constituents(not just his party members). Did he raise issues in Parliament and ask relevant questions? Was he happy with the performance of PH Plus, when they were in government? Did he push for democratic elections in the communities in Batu, or was he simply happy with political appointee system? Looking at media reports, Prabakaran's performance as MP was lack luster, but obviously in 'political work' in the party seems good as he ousted Tian Chua in the last election - ' Tian Chua lost to Prabakaran in the fight for the Batu PKR division chief’s post during the party elections this year.'
Prabakaran, after enjoying the monies and power that came with being a MP then seem to have turned his back on once 'mentor', Tian Chua.
Prabakaran should have elected to contest in another constituency, possibly currently held by a PH-party hopper, rather that deny TIAN CHUA, the Batu seat, which was so wrongly denied him in GE14 by reason of wrongdoings of an EC officer.
TIAN CHUA is a human rights defender since the 1990s. He was believed to be one of the key organisers successfuly behind the REFORMASI movement that organized the consequtive street protests in Kuala Lumpur that saw 10,000 plus coming out Saturday after Saturday in Kuala Lumpur. He was with SUARAM, the human rights organisation, and later was close to Parti Rakyat Malaysia, before a faction of PRM merged with Keadilan to form PKR. Tian Chua was the Chinese Malaysian of PKR, until the leadership choose Chau Jui Meng and later Chang Lih Kang. {Whenever persons not of the Anwar household achieves prominence in the party and nationally, it seems that PKR leadership 'diminishes' their influence by replacing with another. For the Indian Malaysians, it was first Sivarasa, then changed to N. Surendran, then later Xavier Jeyakumar. Same to with the Malay in PKR...this seems to be a trend with Anwar and PKR, which at the end of the day may not be good for PKR). As an MP, Tian Chua continued to be committed to human rights and justice, and did speak out and act inside and outside Parliament)
Tian Chua was no silent loyal follower, but did speak out against matters that were against his fundamental values/principles on democracy, justice and human rights. Alas, some political party leaders do not like this, preferring instead total loyalty with no dissent. They do not respect and practice freedom of opinion or expression. Either way, Tian Chua's future in PKR would have been ended sooner or later...
Tian Chua, was rightly or wrongly associated with Azmin and the gang of PKR MPs that left PKR BUT the difference was that Tian Chua did not elect to leave PKR, possibly realizing that in a democratic party, there will always be difference of opinions/views and holding a minority view today may end up being the majority view tomorrow. Tian Chua, of the past, I believe will not support the removal of party members from the party simply because they had a different view from Anwar or the party leadership.
So, if one is faced with a choice between Prabakaran(running under the PKR/PH ticket) and Tian Chua(running as an independent or some other party), remembering also his past struggle for the squatters(urban settlers) of Batu, I would most likely vote for Tian Chua. Prabakaran raised issues, but too late and seems to be ethnically inclined rather than being for all people.
I really hope that young Prabakaran withdraw from contesting for Batu, take a break and come back again. Or contest in some other seat.
Recent news about PKR's candidacy for GE15, shows that PKR has dropped many MPs with a strong human rights/justice background in favour of 'new unknowns' with apparently no history of struggle for justice.
One of those dropped was Maria Chin Abdullah, the former chairman of electoral reform group Bersih. She won the Petaling Jaya parliamentary seat in 2018 with a 57,137 majority against candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS.
R Sivarasa, who was Sungai Buloh MP, was also dropped from the PKR candidates list, as was incumbent Gopeng MP and former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye.
Other former PKR MPs who will not be defending their seats include Tan Yee Kew (Wangsa Maju), June Leow (Hulu Selangor), Johari Abdul (Sungai Petani) and Chan Ming Kai (Alor Setar). -FMT, 29/10/2022
Lee Boon Chye - well, he was a former member University Malaya Student Union. Since then, till today, he has been a man of principle, committed to human rights and justice. There is no suggestion of any abuse or corruption on his part. We all remember reading his public comments especially on matters of health and public health. He was a good MP and an asset as a MP > so why did Anwar and PKR drop him?
Maria Chin Abdullah - she was the BERSIH Chairperson fighting for free and fair elections who choose to stand as MP to be able to bring up such issues in Parliament. Remember BERSIH did have a lot of popular support and even managed to get hundreds of thousands of persons to be involved in peaceful assemblies - a movement that definitely had an impact in the defeat of BN in the last GE14. Why was she dropped? A victim of 'use and dispose' policy of Anwar and PKR?
R.Sivarasa - another human rights activist and lawyer. His background starts with OPs Lallang, then SUARAM. He was from PRM when a faction merged with Keadilan to become PKR. As a lawyer, he has been in the forefront advising and representing many PKR leaders. Why was he dropped? A victim of 'use and dispose' policy of Anwar and PKR?
And, Anwar's response was
The move to drop several incumbent MPs from the list of candidates for the 15th general election (GE15) is necessary to give new faces in the party the chance to shine, says PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.Well, then why was Wan Azizah, Nurul Izzah and even Anwar not dropped ...' to give new faces in the party the chance to shine'. Why were others who have been MPs for long not dropped - was it because they were 'true loyalist' of Anwar, who do not dare to express a different opinion or 'challenge' Anwar.
The phenomena of PH parties dropping of MPs with a human rights background is also happening in DAP which dropped Charles Santiago and Wong Tak (our environmentalist that fought Lynas and the Raub Gold Mining). The old MPs of the DAP remain, only newer names are dropped. DAP was democratic in the past, with even Team B members being given Parliamentary seats, despite their opposition with the leaders. Has things changed in DAP? Is DAP being influenced by the PKR practice?
What is most unjust is the DELAY in confirming the candidates for GE14. Thus, all those dropped had been working hard for the PH parties on the ground, believing that they will reasonably be candidates again, until just recently. Now, even the choice and plan to offer themselves as MP candidates, be it as independent or under another party is difficult. They have been denied the right to offer themselves as an MP candidate because of the 'naughtiness' of PKR and DAP too.
Will these candidates now support BN - Most unlikely, as after election, they may remain independent with an inclination to support PH or the Opposition.
So, then it is up to the PEOPLE(Voters) to use their brain and conscience to choose their OWN MP - and not simply just vote the name that is standing as PH candidates this coming elections.
Should we trust Anwar's or PKR's choices of MP candidates - well, no more after GE 14, we saw people chosen by Anwar/PKR jump in large numbers, 12(i believe) including Azmin and gang, which led to the downfall of PH Plus Federal Government. So, people, you need to trust yourself and VOTE in candidates that have a good history of struggle for the people/justice and a proven record of no corruption/abuse - even if it means voting for candidates like Tian Chua, Maria Chin, Charles Santiago, Lee Boon Chye and Sivarasa.
The people alone determine who will be the peoples' representative in Parliament. We should get rid of 'YES MASTER" MPs who simply do what their political masters say, who willingly abandon their good values and principles simply to be faithful or to be seen faithful to their LEADER/s of political party.
We want to claim back PEOPLES' REPRESENTATIVES, who will truly represent the people and act for the peoples' and Malaysia's best interest. People who will advance the freedoms and human rights that Malaysians will enjoy. Those who will promote greater democracy - restoring our right to vote our own Local Government(Local Councils), and even our Taman/Kampung/Kampung Baru leaders >>>end the era of political appointee leaders, and restore democratically elected leadership at all levels.
See some related posts
Peoples' rights violated when do not know in advance who is contesting? A party leadership strategy to 'control' future MPs?
PH should best not name a PM candidate > after GE15, then elected MPs should the best to be PM?
DAP/Amanah Expelling MPs that do not toe party line - Foolish undemocratic move that will NOT result in disqualification as MP or a by-elections?
Malaysian MPs - Party or People's Representative? Abolish the WHIP?
Parliament - Get rid of the 'WHIP', 'Party Line' - Restore freedom of discussion and vote to MPs?
Tian Chua now eligible to contest in elections, be appointed senator
Hafiz Yatim / The Edge Financial Daily
November 07, 2019 09:47 am +08
This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on November 7, 2019. 
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua, can now contest in any election or be appointed a senator in Malaysia after the High Court here yesterday declared that the Election Commission’s (EC) move to bar him from contesting in the 14th general election (GE14) last year was unjust and not equitable.
The case was heard before High Court Judge Datuk Seri Mariana Yahya yesterday.
Chua’s lawyer Datuk Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar told reporters yesterday that the EC’s move to reject Chua’s candidacy to defend the Batu parliamentary seat during GE14 was unlawful.
“This (the EC’s decision) was based on his two convictions, [which] had not resulted in his disqualification to contest in any election. This (non-disqualification) was not only verified by the court but also the then speaker (Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia).
“[So] it was unfair for the EC to reject his nomination. As a result of the EC’s decision last year, he lost his pension [as a former member of parliament], but this is now being restored,” Gurdial said. If an elected representative retires after serving one term, the individual is entitled to a pension.
As such, Justice Mariana declared that Chua is now able to contest in any election, according to Gurdial. The High Court’s decision yesterday also means Chua can now be appointed a senator, Gurdial said.
Justice Mariana delivered the decision in chambers, while Chua’s supporters were ushered out while awaiting her decision. She did not make any order as to costs.
It was previously reported that Chua’s candidacy to defend his Batu parliamentary seat was rejected by the EC returning officer, a decision made based on him having been fined RM2,000 by the Shah Alam High Court in March last year for insulting the modesty of a police officer. - Edge Markets, 7/11/2022
Give younger candidates a chance, Anwar tells Tian Chua
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BANGI: The move to drop several incumbent MPs from the list of candidates for the 15th general election (GE15) is necessary to give new faces in the party the chance to shine, says PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
Commenting on a warning by former PKR vice-president Tian Chua that the party’s move to drop several incumbent MPs ahead of GE15 could hurt the party, Anwar said younger politicians should be given the opportunity to contest in the election.
“I would like to emphasise to Tian Chua that we still need the support of these senior politicians to continue guiding the youth in the party.
“I met with him (Tian Chua) for a while and listened to his views yesterday. As I mentioned in my speech last night, not all the MPs can be maintained.
“Otherwise, the younger generation will not be able to come up the ranks,” Anwar said after an event here.
Last night, PKR announced its list of candidates for 72 parliamentary seats in the peninsula.
The party dropped eight incumbent MPs — Maria Chin Abdullah (Petaling Jaya), R Sivarasa (Sungai Buloh), Natrah Ismail (Sekijang), June Leow (Hulu Selangor), Tan Yee Kiew (Wangsa Maju), Dr Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng), Johari Abdul (Sungai Petani) and Chan Ming Kai (Alor Setar).
Earlier today, Tian Chua said there were many who were disappointed with the decision, stating that “shuffling MPs and seats like cards” would hurt the party’s grassroots and frustrate the voters who supported PKR and their elected representatives.
Noting that one of the core criteria for choosing candidates is the
ability to build strong connections with the constituency, the former
Batu MP said his “biggest fear” was that this quality was being eroded
among legislators. - FMT, 29/10/2022
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