Batu's Game of Thrones

SHAH ALAM: Back in 2018 for GE14, we saw PKR vice-president Tian Chua announcing that Pakatan Harapan (PH) has endorsed an independent candidate P Prabakaran to contest and defend the Batu parliamentary seat.

This was following the High Court’s ruling that disallowed incumbent Tian Chua from contesting the Batu parliamentary seat as the Election Commission had disqualified him.

Tian Chua said the decision was made by PH supreme leaders to support the ‘little brother’ who is an independent candidate, youngest MP to serve the rakyat in the Batu constituency.

Tian Chua urged all Batu voters to shift their support to Prabakaran and campaigned for the latter in GE14.

The 22-year-old law student contested for the Batu seat and became the country’s youngest MP, beating the record held by former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak.

No doubt Prabakaran has done much for the constituency in terms of improving public infrastructures, make the townships more disabled-friendly, improve vocational as well as tertiary education, and increase internship opportunities for youths.

Being the youngest candidate, Prabakaran aimed at wooing young voters by standing up for the rights of youths.

However, now the big brother is back for GE15 to fight for the throne!

The former PKR deputy president Tian Chua now wants his seat back under PKR’s umbrella but he was denied by the party which led him to run as independent now.

President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was forced to expel Tian Chua following his decision to run as independent against their nominated candidate Prabakaran.

Batu voters will be seeing a 10-cornered fight with the brothers-duo and six other candidates including Malaysian Indian Congress’ A. Kohilan Pillay and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia’s Azhar Yahya.

There are two ways to look at this scenario.

1. Prabakaran, an independent candidate was endorsed and absorbed by PKR in 2018. He won the election and garnered the support from Batu voters after being endorsed by Tian Chua and the party. He has done his service and did well for the people in the Batu constituency. Now Prabakaran is probably one of the prominent faces for PKR and has a good future ahead his political career.

2. On the other hand, two-term MP, Tian Chua who held a high post in PKR has been expelled by the party and became an independent candidate now as Prabakaran refused to give away his seat to the ‘big brother’ who endorsed him four years ago.

Now, is Prabakaran selfish to retain the seat in order to continue succeeding in his political career or Tian Chua is greedy for getting back to secure his seat to continue his political career?

Current PKR’s deputy president Rafizi Ramli said that the party will later discuss Tian Chua’s move to contest in Batu as an independent candidate after the 15th General Election (GE15) as the focus should now be on campaigning efforts.

This election sees more candidates with less integrity and running more toward power, position and personal gains.

Both Tian Chua and Prabakaran are now fighting for the Batu’s throne, probably due to their undying commitment to continue their services to the Batu people or it could be due to power, position, monetary gains and such.

Both former MPs of Batu have done well for their people and aim to retain power.

The irony is that one independent candidate became PKR MP in 2018 (GE14) while the other one who was PKR vice president became independent in 2022 (GE15).

So, who is the rightful leader here for Batu?

A quick chat with the people from Batu constituency showed there are two type of voters group involved.

Some voters want Tian Chua to retire and give way for the younger generation to lead while the other group feels Prabakaran has betrayed his ‘big brother’ who has kickstarted his political career and refused to let go of his seat.

A mixed sentiment is growing around Batu voters in this 10-cornered fight.

Lets watch and see who wins Batu’s Game of Thrones on Nov 19.