THE Batu parliamentary seat in Kuala Lumpur will witness the biggest fight in the 15th general election with 10 candidates vying for the constituency. 

The battle will see former PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang facing off against Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) P. Prabakaran, the same candidate Tian Chua campaigned for in the last polls.

Earlier today, Tian Chua was sacked by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim after he filed his nomination papers to contest as an Independent. 

A. Kohilan Pillay will represent Barisan Nasional (BN), while Nathan Pillia is on a Warisan ticket. The others are lawyer Siti Zabedah Kasim (Independent), Azhar Yahya (Perikatan Nasional), Wan Azliana Wan Adham (Pejuang), Mohd Zulkifli Abdul Fattah (Parti Rakyat Malaysia), social media influencer Nur Fathiah Syazwana (Independent) and Too Cheng Huat (Independent). 

Initially, 11 candidates were said to be eyeing the seat, but Independent contender Sao M. Mahendran pulled out.

Sao, who is representing the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Indian Taxi Group, said he made the decision after finding out that Tian Chua was contesting. 

“We wanted someone who would represent our 10,000-strong group, and he (Tian Chua) is the right candidate. I have decided to withdraw my candidacy,” he said.

Earlier, Prabakaran said he was disappointed that Tian Chua was contesting in Batu. 

“I have mixed feelings on Tian Chua contesting. But the party will take the relevant action against him. Because as deputy chairman of the federal territories, I am let down by his selfishness.

“When we talk about national PH taking over the government, he cares more about himself,” he said. 

In the 2018 general election, Prabakaran won with a majority of 24,438 votes, edging out then BN candidate Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai, Azhar Yahya (PAS) and V.M. Panjamothy (Independent).

Tian Chua was ineligible to contest due to his court conviction. – November 5, 2022.