Tian Chua: Opposition merger next

Tian Chua: Opposition merger next
Soon Li Tsin | Mar 13, 08 12:17pm

New Batu MP Tian Chua believes that a merger between the opposition parties will be the next step in reinforcing their stand as a viable alternative government.

Dispelling rumours of bickering between DAP, PKR and PAS in media reports, Chua does not see this as a problem for the opposition coalition.

"I don’t think it is any problem that people are putting their thoughts forward and arguing - all this is part of creating a democratic culture. So I won’t characterise this is a form of bickering," he told Malaysiakini.

On Saturday, the PKR information chief defeated BN’s Lim Si Pin with a 9,455 majority.

Opposition candidates grabbed 82 of the 222 parliament seats, which also led to BN’s biggest election setback in history.

Approached for a brief interview at the PKR headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Chua jovially said, "Sure, if you are okay with me answering my phone," while multi-tasking away in attending to a large stack of unopen letters.

Malaysiakini: Describe your feelings about winning the elections.

It is something that the people have been expecting for a long time. So finally it came. Now it is time for us to work and ensure that the people's aspiration is fulfilled. Whatever it is Malaysia has touched the threshold of democratisation. So we are heading towards a full fledge multi-party democracy.

What was the 13-day campaign period like?

It was a very intensive campaign. It was a very encouraging experience in the way we receive support from all quarters, where we see how people are enthusiastic and are ready for change.

How will take you bring political and activist experience to Parliament?

An MP’s job is to bring out issues concerning the rights of the people. So in that sense Parliament should accommodate diversity and pluralism - this is the social reality. So it is quite natural in our national political discourse that there must be different voices. Hence, I could represent one of these voices. But at the same time I speak for the people especially those in my constituency. So those are the multiple roles we have to play.

There are talks that BN might consider becoming a multiracial singular party. What are your views about this?

The writing is on the wall. Only a multiracial party now could survive. I don’t know if BN is talking about it. The problem is whether Umno and MCA are ready for transformation. From what I see, it doesn’t look likely. It doesn’t look like they are ready for it yet.

What are your thoughts on a possible merger or a pact between DAP, PAS and PKR to form an ‘alternative government’?

We stood (in the elections) under three separate entities, negotiations and discussions are natural. I think because we are much more transparent, there is a lot more access to media so people describe it as bickering (between the parties).

I don’t think it is any problem that people are putting their thoughts out and arguing - all this is part of creating a democratic culture. So I won’t characterise this is a form of bickering. On the contrary, I think bickering is happening on the other side (BN’s) but that is not our problem.

I think a merger is something we have to think about as the next step. Currently, the first thing to do is to present a team that can work together in fulfilling our pledge in the elections. Then parties that feel they have an additional need to cooperate and build with can start talking about mergers. That would be the next step.

Let us form the government first and build confidence in each other and put away some of the old prejudices against each other. That would be a giant step ahead.

You mentioned ‘forming a government’, so does this mean the opposition will have to prove themselves that they can form a viable alternative government in the next four years?

I think it may not take four years for us to prove ourselves. We have a mandate of five years, we will make sure that within our mandate we will work well. I’m confident that the cooperation will be strengthened and we could deliver what we promised.

What do you think are your challenges in your new role as MP?

Now it is time to consolidate a bi-party system of Parliament since we are now a big bloc. We have an opportunity to not only criticise the government but to articulate our principles and try to present the objectives if our coalition parties’ struggle to the public as a form of preparation to show that we can govern at the federal level.

Last time you went to Parliament, you were arrested. The next time you go in, you’ll be entering the Dewan Rakyat as an MP. How does that make you feel?

(Laughs) Well, it’s nothing. Last time it was the mistake of the police but that was not their fault. The circumstances at that time is very different from now so I’m confident there will be a lot of changes, even among the police.

What main issues will you raise in Parliament?

I think there are a lot of issues. I think it is too narrow to say that I have ten of five major issues. It is not like 81 other members of Parliament have their own wish list. In the elections we can put out key wish list but what matters now is how we can use our collective wisdom to push as much change as possible with the strength of our numbers.

So now it is about teamwork and how we will do it. For example, how do we expand the space for civil rights? Then we have to think about our strategies n how do we present ourselves to reform the education system? So there is a major block of work to be done.

This cannot be the usual opposition way whereby you file your motion and sit and wait for your turn. No. There is a real chance if we play our cards well, substantial legislative change can happen. I think now it is for us, all the elected members to sit down and think how to use our strength for change.

Have you had enough rest since elections ended?

(Laughs) No, no - rest is always the problem. After the elections the responsibility and burden is much higher so we have to cope with it.