Tian Chua sambut baik seruan Anwar ‘otai’ PKR kembali

Ketua Perwakilan Wanita PKR, Ginie Lim, shared a Facebook photo showing her with two former deputy presidents, Tian Chua and Dr Xavier Jayakumar, at the party's national congress in Malacca today. (Ganbar Facebook) Tian Chua, one of the founding leaders of PKR expelled in 2023, welcomed the call from Presiden Anwar Ibrahim for the veteran party member to return. He also stated that his presence at the national congress was by invitation from Anwar himself.

Tian Chua believes he has made his message clear, and wants the veteran generation to help strengthen the party, including those feeling sidelined, he told FMT. When asked if he would rejoin PKR, Tian Chua said: It is up to Anwar. It is up to Anwar to revive my credentials with equal credentials.

Excluded from PKR after the 2022 general election due to contesting the Batu parliamentary seat as an independent, Tian Chua was a former Penang MP for two terms. In his opening remarks at the PKR congress today, Anwar apologized and urged the party to welcome its members back. Tian Chua, a former Batu MP for two terms, said the call from Anwar aimed to strengthen the party and consolidate the reform movement.

He emphasized that despite past disagreements within the party, PKR remained an important political force in Malaysia comprising many factions. He also claimed PKR continues to face threats to its identity by agendas other than reformist PH. Tian Chua said sentiment against PH remains strong, while grassroots and multi-corner support for the party has been declining for several years.

With successive losses in the recent PRN, Tian Chua said it is important for all parties to work together. He said former deputy president Dr Xavier Jayakumar also attended the congress and hopes Anwar will reach out to other former party leaders. FMT also contacted Xavier for further comments.