#GE15: PKR To Sack "Selfish" Tian Chua For Running As An Independent In Batu
PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Chua Tian Chang, who nominated himself as an independent candidate for the Batu parliamentary seat, has gone against the party's wishes.
By Sadho Ram — 05 Nov 2022, 04:48 PM — Updated about 2 years ago
PKR to sack Chua Tian Chang for going against party wishes and nominating himself as an independent candidate for the Batu parliamentary seat today, 5 November, in the 15th General Election (GE15)
According to PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as per party policy, any members who contest in elections as independents will automatically be terminated, reported The Star.
Anwar, who acknowledged the former PKR vice-president as a dedicated reformist, said that it is unfortunate for Tian Chua, as he is popularly known, as a long-time ally to run for Batu in this way.
"He has been a dedicated reformist, and I don't think this is what a reformist should do," he said after the announcement of the candidates for the Tambun parliamentary seat by the returning officer.
Anwar went on to say that running as an independent is "a dead end" to Chua's political career.
Rafizi Ramli, the PKR deputy president, appeared to sing a different tune by saying that any disciplinary actions against Chua will only take place after GE15, which is scheduled to take place on 19 November
For now, Rafizi has welcomed Chua who is going against PKR's P Prabakaran and eight others.
Prabakaran is the incumbent Batu member of parliament (MP). Chua had supported Prabakaran as Pakatan Harapan's (PH) proxy in the last general election (GE14).
"Tian Chua messaged me to inform me of his intent to contest as an independent candidate and that he wanted his old friends to understand that he is trying a new path," New Straits Times reported Rafizi as saying, adding that Chua has earned his blessings to compete the Batu seat as an independent candidate.
Rafizi said that despite the different paths taken by Chua, the reform goals remain the same.
Photo shows Tian Chua waving as he arrives at the nomination centre in SMK Sentul Utama, Jalan Ipoh.
Image via Azhar Ramli/New Straits TimesMeanwhile, Prabakaran expressed his disappointment with Chua
Prabakaran said that he had "mixed feelings" about Chua offering himself as an independent candidate in the already-crowded fight for the Batu seat, according to a report in Malay Mail.
"The party will take the relevant action against him. Because as deputy chairman of Wilayah, I feel disappointed at his selfishness. When we talk about national PH taking over the government, he cares more about himself," he said.
