THE Batu MP has vowed to continue serving his constituents despite 14 civil society groups calling on him to quit.

P. Prabakaran said reports urging him to give way so that the constituency’s former lawmaker, Chua Tian Chang, can contest and retake the seat will not affect his day-to-day responsibilities.

“I take the calls from these groups in a positive manner, as they only want the best for PKR,” he said in a statement.

He denied facing pressure from PKR vice-president Chua, better known as Tian Chua, to step down.

“Tian Chua is a well-known activist, and I have not been pressured by him to relinquish my post as MP,” said the 23-year-old first-time lawmaker.

Last week, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that Chua is eligible to stand in elections.

Justice Mariana Yahya agreed with the Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam High Courts’ decision that Chua’s eligibility and right to contest are not affected by a RM2,000 fine imposed on him.

She said an MP loses the said eligibility and right only when the fine is RM2,001 and above.

Prabakaran said some individuals in the 14 groups want him to step down, and not the organisations themselves.

“I interact with my constituents daily. They really want a passionate young man to help resolve their problems.

“I have organised many programmes and activities. I’m gradually resolving their problems, and I’m able to sort out some of the complex ones faced by voters in the short run.”

He said he is determined to do his best to tackle local issues.

As a PKR member, Prabakaran said he will contribute his energy and efforts for the good of the party, and to realise its agenda.

“I will serve the people in a transparent and fair manner, without leaving them out on the streets.”

Chua, who was a two-term MP, was not allowed to contest the 14th general election last year because of the uncertainty surrounding his eligibility stemming from the RM2,000 fine.

Prabakaran, then a law student, stood as an independent in Batu. He got strong backing from Chua and other Pakatan Harapan leaders.

He won the four-cornered fight for the seat with a 24,438-vote majority over his main rival, Barisan Nasional’s Dominic Lau.

Shortly after his victory, Malaysia’s youngest MP joined PKR. – November 14, 2019.