theVibes.com:
PKR’s molten rock: Tian Chua, Prabakaran stake claims in Batu
Speculations mount over which candidate will get PKR’s nod to represent party there
With the next election rumoured to take place by the end of this year, speculations are mounting over whether Chua Tian Chang (left) or P. Prabakaran will get PKR's nod to represent the party in Batu. – The Vibes file pic, September 29, 2022
KUALA LUMPUR – While much of the recent political chatter has centred around possible alliances and date of the 15th general election (GE15), the Batu parliamentary constituency’s prospects have been heating up, particularly in the inner circles of PKR.
The Vibes has been informed by party insiders that Chua Tian Chang, a former MP there, is currently campaigning to reclaim the seat. This comes about as his successor and incumbent elected lawmaker of Batu, P. Prabakaran, has expressed interest to continue serving the constituency.
It is understood that the matter is being deliberated by the PKR leadership as part of an ongoing discussion to finalise its list of election candidates, although there has been no word yet over who may get picked.
Among the aspects that will be taken into consideration include whether the party wants to play it safe by nominating Chua as someone who is more veteran and recognised, or by staying true to the party’s push for younger faces by opting for Prabakaran.
Better known as Tian Chua, the 59-year-old first won the seat in the general election of 2008, securing victory in what was previously a Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold. He then successfully defended it in 2013.
However, the former PKR vice-president was disqualified from contesting in the last general election in May 2018, owing to a technicality involving a court fine. This forced him and the party to back Prabakaran, who was then standing as an independent candidate in Batu.
The motivation then was simple – Pakatan Harapan (PH) as a coalition could not afford to risk any constituency in its bid to defeat the BN government mired in allegations of unbridled corruption.
The strategy inevitably worked, as Prabakaran scored a landslide win with a staggering 24,438 majority vote – the biggest recorded in the constituency’s history – making him Malaysia’s youngest ever MP at the age of just 22 years at that time.
He would later officially join PKR just four days after PH claimed the historic general election victory on May 9, 2022.
Now, with the next election rumoured to take place by the end of this year, speculations are mounting over whether Chua or Prabakaran would get PKR’s nod to represent the party in Batu.
KUALA LUMPUR – While much of the recent political chatter has centred around possible alliances and date of the 15th general election (GE15), the Batu parliamentary constituency’s prospects have been heating up, particularly in the inner circles of PKR.
The Vibes has been informed by party insiders that Chua Tian Chang, a former MP there, is currently campaigning to reclaim the seat. This comes about as his successor and incumbent elected lawmaker of Batu, P. Prabakaran, has expressed interest to continue serving the constituency.
It is understood that the matter is being deliberated by the PKR leadership as part of an ongoing discussion to finalise its list of election candidates, although there has been no word yet over who may get picked.
Among the aspects that will be taken into consideration include whether the party wants to play it safe by nominating Chua as someone who is more veteran and recognised, or by staying true to the party’s push for younger faces by opting for Prabakaran.
Better known as Tian Chua, the 59-year-old first won the seat in the general election of 2008, securing victory in what was previously a Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold. He then successfully defended it in 2013.
However, the former PKR vice-president was disqualified from contesting in the last general election in May 2018, owing to a technicality involving a court fine. This forced him and the party to back Prabakaran, who was then standing as an independent candidate in Batu.
The motivation then was simple – Pakatan Harapan (PH) as a coalition could not afford to risk any constituency in its bid to defeat the BN government mired in allegations of unbridled corruption.
The strategy inevitably worked, as Prabakaran scored a landslide win with a staggering 24,438 majority vote – the biggest recorded in the constituency’s history – making him Malaysia’s youngest ever MP at the age of just 22 years at that time.
He would later officially join PKR just four days after PH claimed the historic general election victory on May 9, 2022.
Now, with the next election rumoured to take place by the end of this year, speculations are mounting over whether Chua or Prabakaran would get PKR’s nod to represent the party in Batu.
Chua Tian Chang (pic) says that while P. Prabakaran has fared considerably well during his time as MP, he still has much to learn as a lawmaker, something the party cannot afford in the coming polls, with Barisan Nasional in prime position to retain power. – The Vibes file pic, September 29, 2022
I have better winning chance, says Chua
In a recent phone interview with The Vibes, Chua refuted claims that he is “actively campaigning” for the seat, but confirmed harbouring an interest to return to serve the constituents there.
He warned PKR of the perils of potentially picking Prabakaran over him, saying the party cannot afford to take any risks in the coming polls, and that he himself stands a better chance of winning Batu than his successor.
“The last time Prabakaran won was because I was campaigning for him. People voted on that basis,” he said.
“Today, you have to understand that the context is very different. Even if I support him, I’m not sure if voters will.
“I believe constituents are not just going to vote along party lines this time. So, my view is that I will have a better chance of winning,” he said.
Chua said that while Prabakaran has fared considerably well during his time as MP, he still has much to learn as a lawmaker, something the party cannot afford in the coming polls, with BN in prime position to retain power.
“If we are not careful, BN could even take back two-thirds majority. I wouldn’t want to be complacent, because every seat counts,” he said.
Interestingly, in PKR’s recent party election in May this year, Prabakaran unseated Chua for the Batu division chief’s post.
Prabakaran garnered 517 ballots against the 306 obtained by Chua, who was the incumbent.
On whether the former’s youthfulness will have any bearing in the party leadership’s decision on the candidate, Chua said PKR’s choice of candidate has never been restricted to the issue of position in the party.
I have better winning chance, says Chua
In a recent phone interview with The Vibes, Chua refuted claims that he is “actively campaigning” for the seat, but confirmed harbouring an interest to return to serve the constituents there.
He warned PKR of the perils of potentially picking Prabakaran over him, saying the party cannot afford to take any risks in the coming polls, and that he himself stands a better chance of winning Batu than his successor.
“The last time Prabakaran won was because I was campaigning for him. People voted on that basis,” he said.
“Today, you have to understand that the context is very different. Even if I support him, I’m not sure if voters will.
“I believe constituents are not just going to vote along party lines this time. So, my view is that I will have a better chance of winning,” he said.
Chua said that while Prabakaran has fared considerably well during his time as MP, he still has much to learn as a lawmaker, something the party cannot afford in the coming polls, with BN in prime position to retain power.
“If we are not careful, BN could even take back two-thirds majority. I wouldn’t want to be complacent, because every seat counts,” he said.
Interestingly, in PKR’s recent party election in May this year, Prabakaran unseated Chua for the Batu division chief’s post.
Prabakaran garnered 517 ballots against the 306 obtained by Chua, who was the incumbent.
On whether the former’s youthfulness will have any bearing in the party leadership’s decision on the candidate, Chua said PKR’s choice of candidate has never been restricted to the issue of position in the party.
P. Prabakaran says he believes he has done a satisfactory job in Batu that merits another go for the seat, and describes himself as ‘someone who is always there’ when the people need a voice on issues concerning them. – Bernama pic, September 29, 2022
“If they do decide that’s the case, I have to accept the party’s decision. But the issue is that in elections it’s about winning the votes. So you would want to pick a winnable candidate,” he said.
“And if PKR offers me another seat, as a party member I have to accept it. But I would argue: why not put Prabakaran there instead?”
Chua added that it is important for him to be chosen for the seat, also because his popularity among voters in Batu means he would not necessarily have to be in his constituency throughout the campaigning period, and he will be able to offer his service and help to other candidates elsewhere.
I’m division chief, Chua must go through me, says Prabakaran
Prabakaran, however, advised his predecessor to not be overly eager about reclaiming Batu, and urged for patience to allow the leadership to make the decision, as expected by next month.
He also reminded Chua that he is now the division leader. Chua would need to go through him if he has any interest in contesting the seat, he stressed.
“If he follows our party system, there are multiple levels of scrutiny. We have the divisional and state levels, as well as the election committee. Once (the choices) are gone through these, only then will the names be submitted to the political bureau and the president to be finalised.
“If he really wants to contest, then submit his application to my division, because I’m the division chief now. He must go through me. I will take up his application,” he said.
Prabakaran also said he believes he has done a satisfactory job in Batu that merits another go for the seat, and described himself as “someone who is always there” when the people need a voice on issues concerning them.
However, he acknowledged room for improvement, and said he would address this if given another run, maintaining that he would continue supporting the party even if he is dropped.
“As the division chief of Batu, I will make sure Batu wins, even if Chua is picked,” he said.
“I’m not that desperate to get positions in the government. If they think I’m the right guy, okay. If not, I will support whoever the candidate is.”
On whether he is alright with contesting in a new constituency, Prabakaran said: “I will need to think about it. I will need to study local issues and many other things. Batu is easier since I was born here.” – The Vibes, September 29, 2022
“If they do decide that’s the case, I have to accept the party’s decision. But the issue is that in elections it’s about winning the votes. So you would want to pick a winnable candidate,” he said.
“And if PKR offers me another seat, as a party member I have to accept it. But I would argue: why not put Prabakaran there instead?”
Chua added that it is important for him to be chosen for the seat, also because his popularity among voters in Batu means he would not necessarily have to be in his constituency throughout the campaigning period, and he will be able to offer his service and help to other candidates elsewhere.
I’m division chief, Chua must go through me, says Prabakaran
Prabakaran, however, advised his predecessor to not be overly eager about reclaiming Batu, and urged for patience to allow the leadership to make the decision, as expected by next month.
He also reminded Chua that he is now the division leader. Chua would need to go through him if he has any interest in contesting the seat, he stressed.
“If he follows our party system, there are multiple levels of scrutiny. We have the divisional and state levels, as well as the election committee. Once (the choices) are gone through these, only then will the names be submitted to the political bureau and the president to be finalised.
“If he really wants to contest, then submit his application to my division, because I’m the division chief now. He must go through me. I will take up his application,” he said.
Prabakaran also said he believes he has done a satisfactory job in Batu that merits another go for the seat, and described himself as “someone who is always there” when the people need a voice on issues concerning them.
However, he acknowledged room for improvement, and said he would address this if given another run, maintaining that he would continue supporting the party even if he is dropped.
“As the division chief of Batu, I will make sure Batu wins, even if Chua is picked,” he said.
“I’m not that desperate to get positions in the government. If they think I’m the right guy, okay. If not, I will support whoever the candidate is.”
On whether he is alright with contesting in a new constituency, Prabakaran said: “I will need to think about it. I will need to study local issues and many other things. Batu is easier since I was born here.” – The Vibes, September 29, 2022
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kt comments:
There is probably deep resentment between the two - Tian Chua no doubt feels Batu belongs to him, and for a court unkind judgement which disqualified him from the 2018 GE, he would have continued to be the constituency's MP.
Then, he was compelled to support the independent candidate Prakash, who I have always suspected was "placed" in Batu to deny PKR's Tian Chua the local Indian votes.
But Miss Serendipity struck, and Prakash ended up as Batu's elected representative to the Dewan, only because PH and Tian Chua threw their weight behind his candidature, rather than allowed BN to win. Naturally Prakash "moves" smoothly into PKR and intends to remain there, standing again as the party's representative in Batu in GE15 - can you blame him, nor can you blame Tian Chua for his grievance over his recent loss of PKR Batu Division's chair?
Tian Chua suffers from the party members' suspicion over his "true" allegiance - to Anwar or to Ass-binte?? and which could be the reason he lost recently in the party Batu election.
PKR has thus a dilemma, to again trust Tian Chua and nominate him as the candidate for Batu, with the fear of him frogging to be with Ass-binte even though there is now an anti-hopping law, or to trust allegedly opportunist Prakash as its rep for Batu again?
And behind both of them, Siti Kasim hovers as a candidate for Batu too in GE15, wakakaka.
Tian Chua is an untrustworthy Cobra, likely to jump to AssBinte once he actually has an MP's seat.
ReplyDeleteThe main reason he didn't jump after the Sheraton Move was he did not have an MP seat to offer Perikatan Nasional and he would not get anything in return.