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.
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.
“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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