KUALA LUMPUR: Independent Batu candidate Tian Chua has unveiled several art installations around the constituency to symbolise that the Dewan Rakyat belongs to the people.
He said the artworks, large replicas of chairs, were meant to convey the message that the power to elect officials lies with the rakyat.
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“The election process is a significant time when the people decide who to elect.
“It is a reminder that the voters are the holders, shapers and controllers of the nation's (destiny). While we are all fighting for seats, (we must remember that) the seats belong to the people.
“I hope the meaning of this symbol goes beyond Batu to inspire others,” he said during the unveiling of the installation at Jalan Sentul Pasar on Monday (Nov 14) morning.
Tian Chua, a former Batu MP, is also using the chair symbol on the ballot paper.
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He said the idea for the installations was raised by political activist Hishamuddin Rais and the chairs were completed in less than a week.
The wooden pieces will be installed at eight locations in Batu.
Hishamuddin said the 3.65m (12ft) arrangement of each installation was meant to reflect the shape of the Parliament building.
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With just five days of campaigning left before polling on Nov 19, Tian Chua said he hoped voters would reflect on his past work as an MP.
The Batu seat is the most keenly contested in the 15th General Election, with 10 contenders: Tian Chua, Datuk A Kohilan Pillay (Barisan Nasional), P Prabakaran (Pakatan Harapan), Wan Azliana Wan Adnan(GTA-Pejuang), Naganathan Pillai or "Nathan Batu" on the ballot (Parti Warisan), Azhar Yahya (Perikatan Nasional), Mohd Zulkifli Abdul Fattah (Parti Rakyat Malaysia) and Independents Siti Kasim, Nur Fathiah Syazwana Shaharudin and Too Cheng Huat (running as Too Gao Lan).
