Tian Chua apologises to Anwar for contesting in Batu

GE15 | Former PKR vice-president Tian Chua has apologised to Anwar Ibrahim for contesting as an independent candidate in Batu against his party's pick, P Prabakaran.

This came after the PKR president said Chua (above) will be automatically axed for contesting as an independent.

"I fully understand (Anwar's feelings), and I have to seek his forgiveness for doing that. I have no intention to provoke him, and I think his expression of disappointment is real," he was quoted as saying by The Vibes in an interview.

"Yet we have been friends for such a long time. We have been comrades and brothers in struggle.

"I think no matter what happens, what work we choose and what action we take, it doesn’t affect our friendship and my support for his values and struggle.

"This is something we share in common. We might not share certain strategies, tactics or sometimes policies, where there could be certain contradictions, but our ability to see through these and to share a common vision will always be there."

On Nov 5, Anwar said those who contest as independents or leave the party for whatever reason will be automatically sacked.

"This isn’t what a reformist should do," said Anwar.

However, Chua claimed that there is nothing personal in his independent run.

He stressed the need to ensure the continuation of the reformation spirit in the constituency and this reflected the sentiment on the ground.

"If you care to check with the voters, many are happy that at least I provide that option for them to choose in order to retain the seat for the progressive voices.

"I’m not representing myself. I represent the aspirations of the Reformasi generation.

"We have contributed to toppling Umno and rejecting corruption. We have achieved that, but I think this voice must stay in order to continue participating in this discourse," he said.

Reformasi era

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 Pakatan 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.

Meanwhile, he also denied that he was aligned with Azmin's faction, blaming simplistic journalism for labelling him as such.

"The reason was very simple. Azmin was the (Selangor) menteri besar before that, and he was already PKR deputy president. We had just captured federal power, and the party needed stability.

"I disagreed with any challenge against him (then), because this would destabilise and fractionalise the party. So, I said very firmly that I’d support him.

"That is the truth. I will not deny that. But for people to label me as (part of) Azmin’s faction because of that... I think that is very unfair.

"No matter where they stand, whether they are still with the movement or not, we are still friends. My relationship with Anwar, (deputy president) Rafizi Ramli, or (secretary-general) Saifuddin Nasution Ismail will remain the same," he said.

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