Tian Chua signs SD backing Anwar as PM

 

GE15 | Independent candidate for Batu, Tian Chua, has signed a statutory declaration (SD) stating that he supports Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim to be prime minister.

This, Chua said, puts to rest incumbent Batu MP P Prabakaran’s allegation that Chua's candidacy was an attempt to foil Anwar's run for prime ministership.

At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today, Chua (above, left), who was accompanied by lawyer Gurmukh Singh, said the statutory declaration was signed on Oct 26 - 11 days before nomination day.

Chua claimed that Anwar received a copy of the SD a day after it was made.

"The Batu voters want to see Anwar lead the government but also want someone qualified to represent them, which is why I’m contesting," he added.

Chua held the Batu seat for two terms between 2008 and 2018.

After being disqualified as a candidate during the 2018 election, Chua endorsed Prabakaran, then an independent candidate, who eventually won and later joined PKR.

Pakatan Harapan’s Batu candidate P Prabakaran

During the PKR leadership election earlier this year, Prabakaran beat Chua for the Batu PKR division chief title.

Police report for defamation

Chua said he will file a police report against Prabakaran under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation.

This was over Prabakaran's allegations on Monday that Chua was running for the Batu seat as an independent to reduce Harapan's chances of winning and thus making it more difficult for Anwar to claim the premiership.

Prabakaran had made the comments in reaction to Chua's earlier claim that "one vote for (Chua) is a vote for Harapan". - Mkini