THE Election Commission’s (EC) disqualification of Tian Chua as a candidate for election today is an insult to the High Court and the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, said Azmin Ali.

The PKR deputy president said the Shah Alam High Court had ruled on March 2 to reduce the Batu MP’s fine to RM2,000.

“Secondly, it was the decision of the Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia on June 30, 2011 that Tian Chua was eligible as an MP although fined RM2,000. Meaning that he is qualified to contest in the 14th general election,” Azmin said in a statement today.

Article 48(1) (e) of the federal constitution states that a person is disqualified as a member of Parliament if he has been convicted of a crime by the court and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year or a fine of not less than RM2,000 and has not received a free pardon.

“The EC’s actions are uncalled for and tarnish the democratic process in Malaysia. I strongly criticise EC’s treatment of Tian Chua at today’s nomination,” Azmin said, adding that Malaysians should object to the EC’s actions.

Batu PKR candidate Tian Chua today was disqualified from contesting on the grounds of his RM2,000 fine imposed by the Shah Alam High Court.

The decision was made by Returning Officer Anwar Zain.

Tian Chua has filed a police report against Anwar for rejecting the High Court’s decision. – April 28, 2018.