Tian Chua’s fate: Anwar says automatic axe, Rafizi says decision after GE

GE15 | PKR will have to decide on Tian Chua’s position following his decision to contest the Batu parliamentary seat as an independent against his party’s pick, P Prabakaran.

Acknowledging the former PKR vice-president as a dedicated reformist, a disappointed Anwar Ibrahim said: “This isn’t what a reformist should do.”

“Those who contest as independents or leave the party for whatever reason will be automatically sacked,” the PKR president and Pakatan Harapan chairperson told reporters in Tambun, Perak.

However, PKR number two Rafizi Ramli appeared to adopt a “wait and see” approach before bringing the axe down.

He said that any disciplinary proceedings against Chua would take place after the general election.

For the moment, Rafizi welcomed Chua throwing his hat into the ring together with Prabakaran and eight others.

It is not clear if the PKR deputy president is keeping the options open should Chua emerge victorious.

After filing his nomination papers, Chua said he was contesting to prevent the possibility of the seat falling into the hands of “kleptocrats”.

He is also prepared to face the repercussions from PKR.

Tumultuous political career

Chua became a symbol of rebellion during the Reformasi era when he was photographed sitting in front of an advancing Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) vehicle during a protest then.

He fell out of favour with Anwar and PKR supporters when he was seen as aligned with Azmin Ali, the former party number two whose defection contributed to the collapse of the Harapan government.

Chua was the Batu MP for two terms from 2008 to 2018 but was disqualified from contesting in 2018 due to the Shah Alam High Court imposing an RM2,000 fine.

This prompted him to back Prabakaran as Harapan’s proxy in that year’s election.

Prabakaran had defeated him for the Batu PKR division chief post during internal party elections in May this year.

Chua, when asked by reporters about his sacking from PKR, said that he is aware his decision to stand as an independent candidate in Batu would mean being axed from the party - where he was one of its pioneer members.

“I’m not complaining or aggrieved about it. The main thing now is that it is election season.

“I think party interests have to be put aside. We are now returning the mandate to the people, let the people make the judgment,” said Chua.

He said this following his candidate nomination this morning at Dewan Gemilang, SMK Sentul Utama.

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