GE15: Tian Chua to stand in Batu as Independent candidate

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Former PKR vice president Chua Tian Chang will stand in the 15th general election as an Independent candidate in the Batu parliamentary seat.

Better known as Tian Chua, the former two-term Batu MP was spotted at an Election Commission (EC) briefing near Sentul on Friday (Nov 4) afternoon, the eve of Nomination Day.

"All candidates were invited to go to SMK Sentul Utama," said the source briefly.

The source, who’s closely linked with Chua, said the former Batu MP decided to stand in GE15 after obtaining ground feedback.

Meanwhile, Chua, when contacted, remained coy about his decision to stand in Batu.

"Just wait and see tomorrow (Nov 5) morning," added Chua.

If Chua decides to stand in Batu as an independent candidate, he would be up against PKR’s P Prabakaran, MIC’s vice-president A Kohilan Pillay, and potentially Warisan, as well as other Independent candidates such as lawyer cum activist Siti Kasim.

Chua was the Batu MP from 2008 to 2018, but he did not contest in GE14 after being disqualified on nomination day due to a RM2,000 fine imposed on him by the Shah Alam High Court.

Chua and PKR backed Prabakaran who was then an independent candidate. After GE14, Prabakaran joined PKR as an official member.

However, the High Court later ruled on Nov 6, 2019 – after GE14 – that Tian Chua in fact did not lose his eligibility and could contest in any election. - Star