VOTERS in the Batu parliamentary constituency are fortunate to have “two representatives” instead of one, said lawyer-cum-activist Ambiga Sreenevasan at a ceramah in Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, last night.

The former Malaysian Bar president said the disqualification of incumbent Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua, must be seen as a blessing in disguise.

“I know you don’t see the rejection of Tian Chua’s nomination as something lucky. But sometimes, good things come out of bad things, and this is one of those times.

“The people of Batu are lucky because you are getting two people who care about Batu for the price of one.”

Two-term Batu MP Chua was disqualified on nomination day over a court fine of RM2,000.

“Tomorrow (today), we can forget about corruption if we change the government.

“We can have good leaders, and we do have good leaders,” said Ambiga, referring to independent candidate 22-year-old P. Prabakaran, whom she said has “laid down his life” for the betterment of Malaysia.

“I remember when I was 22, I couldn’t have taken on this responsibility. Not just anyone can take this on for the country.

“He has the best mentor in the country, so there is no fear, because you have Tian Chua next to you.”

She said Malaysia has never had an “awakening” like this since 2013, and this time, surely, Barisan Nasional will fall.

“In 2008, BN lost the two-thirds majority in Parliament, in 2013, BN lost the popular vote, in 2018, we will surely see BN lose power.

“Prabakaran, we are with you, and all of us who are here are going to support you.”

The Pakatan Harapan leadership has endorsed Prabakaran following Chua’s disqualification, saying a vote for Prabakaran is a vote for PH.

Batu will see a four-cornered fight between BN’s Dominic Lau Chai Hoe, Azhar Yahya (PAS) and independents Prabakaran and V. M. Panjamothy.

The constituency has 76,328 voters, 42.52 % of whom are Malays, Chinese (38.28%) and Indians (17.46%). – May 9, 2018.