Will Tian Chua contest Batu again? Returning PKR veteran eyes political revival

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 — Former PKR vice-president Tian Chua has expressed his interest in returning to Parliament and potentially contesting his former constituency of Batu. The 62-year-old, who previously represented Batu for two terms, maintains that any decision regarding his political future is ultimately up to the party leadership.

"In the short term, of course, I think I still have the energy to contribute in Parliament, and I would like to go back to Parliament," he told FMT. Tian Chua was barred from defending his seat in 2018 after his nomination was disqualified due to a court fine. Subsequently, he endorsed then-independent student activist P. Prabakaran, who won the seat before joining PKR.

Tensions rose in 2022 when Tian Chua ran as an independent against Prabakaran after the party opted to have its incumbent defend the seat, leading to his expulsion from PKR in January 2023. Despite the fallout, Tian Chua insists his ties to Batu's grassroots remain strong. "For the community in Batu, they have been expressing a strong desire that I would come back to serve them because I have been connected to them for a few decades now," he said.

Beyond his personal ambitions, Tian Chua emphasized his commitment to ensuring PKR's longevity as a democratic institution. "I think the main goal is that PKR wants to leave a legacy so that this political party's name, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, is here to stay," he stated. He urged the party to uphold its founding principles of inclusivity and equality while establishing an institutional base capable of withstanding electoral fluctuations.

Tian Chua drew parallels to established Western political parties, citing the UK's Labour, Conservative, and Liberal traditions. "They go up and down," he noted, emphasizing that these parties remain enduring pillars of their political systems by representing core values and distinct societal groups. He argued that PKR must strive for similar institutional resilience, stating that this is the legacy he hopes to leave for future generations.