Will there be another by-election?
NGOs want the incumbent Batu MP to give way to Tian Chua and are calling for a by-election.
PETALING JAYA: Calls have emerged for the current Batu MP P. Prabakaran to step aside following a court decision to declare the disqualification of GE14 candidate Tian Chua as invalid.
The calls were issued by a group of 14 NGOs from the Batu parliamentary constituency who wanted a by-election to be called to re-elect Tian Chua.
In a statement signed by the “Network of Batu NGOs”, the group said that as the courts have vindicated Tian Chua’s eligibility to contest, it is time Prabakaran allowed him to get back the Batu parliamentary seat.
“In the last general election, Tian Chua and PKR endorsed Prabakaran as an independent. With a strong electoral machinery, Prabakaran won with a big majority.
“However, with the recent court decision, we feel that it is fair for Tian Chua to be given the opportunity to return and represent us in Batu.
“Prabakaran should immediately step down to make way for a by-election in Batu to enable Tian Chua to continue his services for us.
“Even when Tian Chua was in the Opposition for two terms, he was much sought after for his services and he had a stellar record despite the Opposition then being poorly equipped,” said the statement sighted by The Star.
The statement is expected to be released by the group today.
Among those listed in the statement were associations of Kim Yin Temple Devotees, Sentul Disabled, PPR Taman Beringin Residents, Taman Sentul Jaya Residents and Anak Melayu Sentul, along with various youth volunteers and welfare clubs.
When contacted, Tian Chua denied any knowledge of the move to re-elect him.
“The court’s decision has proven that it was not right for the Election Commission to have barred me from standing in the last elections.
“I am not in the know of any looming by-election in Batu. If it does happen, however, I leave it to the party to decide the role I should play,” he said.
Prabakaran said he would let the people decide on the matter.
“Let the people rate, let God decide my fate. However, this has not been brought up by anyone in the party and there is no answer to that,” he said yesterday.
Prabakaran, 22, is currently the youngest MP while Tian Chua, who was Batu MP for two terms prior to GE14, was disqualified as a candidate by the Election Commission returning officer on account of a RM2,000 fine imposed on him for a criminal case in 2017.
The sentence was in relation to his conviction for insulting the modesty of a police officer by using foul language four years ago.
Tian Chua then endorsed the then independent candidate Prabakaran, who joined PKR after the elections.
On Nov 6, the High Court decided that Tian Chua’s disqualification as a GE14 candidate was invalid and that he was free to contest in future elections.
PKR sources in the central leadership council said that if Batu constituents were indeed asking for the return of Tian Chua, then such an agenda would be brought to the PKR central leadership council.
“Rightly, such an agenda should be put to a vote, and if the majority decides in favour of Prabakaran vacating the seat, a by-election should be held to allow Chua to be re-elected democratically.
“If the majority votes for Prabakaran to stay, then he should be allowed to serve his term,” said a top PKR leader.