INTERVIEW | When Batu MP Tian Chua went to jail to serve a month-long sentence from Sept 29, the PKR vice-president brought with him four books, three of which were religious texts - the Bible, the Quran, and the Bhagavad Gita.

As a man of science, who described himself as secular and agnostic, Chua's choice of these reading materials may seem odd to others.

But for the 54-year-old, these books are not just about religion.

Speaking to Malaysiakini at his terrace house in Bandar Utama, Chua described the books as philosophical guides on how humans confront difficulties in life and overcome them.

Of particular interest to him is the Gita, the Sanskrit script and teachings of which enamoured him...