Still not too late for Tian Chua to back off, says former PKR MP

IPOH: There is still time for Chua Tian Chang to back off from contesting the Batu parliamentary seat, says Dr Lee Boon Chye.

The former PKR Gopeng MP said Chua, better known as Tian Chua, would ensure a victory for Barisan Nasional if he continued to stand there.

"I am sure that many senior leaders, especially those who have been in the party for years, were disappointed when they were not named as candidates for the 15th General Election (GE15).

"But my advice to Tian Chua, as a friend who has known him for years, he can continue to help the people even if he is no longer an elected representative (YB)," he told reporters at Perak PKR headquarters here on Monday (Nov 7).

"Just look at the bigger picture," he added.

During nomination day on Nov 5, Batu parliamentary received the highest number of candidates with 10 individuals from various parties.

Incumbent MP P. Prabakaran who won the seat as an independent candidate in the 14th General Election before joining PKR is set to defend his seat against Tian Chua, Barisan Nasional’s Datuk A. Kohilan Pillay, human rights and Orang Asli activist Siti Kasim, Wan Azliana Wan Adnan (Gerakan Tanah Air), Naganathan Pillai (Parti Warisan), Azhar Yahya (Perikatan Nasional), Mohd Zulkifli Abdul Fattah (Parti Rakyat Malaysia) and Independent candidates Too Cheng Huat and Nur Fathiah Syazwana Shaharuddin.

Lee, who was not defending his seat in GE15, said Tian Chua should know that a general election was about the people and not for personal interest.

"The priority is the people. If Tian Chua still believed in the party’s fights, he should withdraw and support Pakatan Harapan’s candidate instead.

"Back off and return to the right path," he said, adding that Tian Chua should also apologise to the constituents and his supporters in Batu.

"They (supporters) have been with him and supported the Reformasi movements, followed him to campaign in rural areas, villages and being blasted by water cannons," he added.

Tian Chua, the former PKR vice-president, had reportedly apologised to party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for contesting in Batu and hoped that his candidacy would not affect his relationship with the Pakatan chairman.