Tian Chua
Encyclopedia
Chua Tian Chang, or better known as Tian Chua (Simplified Chinese;蔡添强 / Traditional Chinese;蔡添强)
, is a Malaysian politician and is currently the Member of Parliament for the Batu
constituency in Kuala Lumpur
, Malaysia. He is also information chief of Parti Keadilan Rakyat
, the largest opposition party in the Parliament of Malaysia
. He formerly served as vice-president of the party.
Tian Chua first burst into the limelight in 1999 when images of him sitting defiantly in front of a police water cannon truck were splashed across the global media during the height of the Reformasi
movement in Malaysia due to the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim
as Deputy Prime Minister.
Between September 27 and 30, 1999, Tian Chua and six other activists, including Keadilan leaders; Youth leader Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, Mohamed Azmin Ali
and Dr Badrul Amin Baharun; were arrested and as a result prevented from contesting in the 1999 general elections
. Further arrests were made on 10 April 2001 and those arrested were subsequently charged and incarcerated under the Internal Security Act
. They became known as the Reformasi 10.
In the 2008 general elections
, Tian Chua contested in the Batu
parliamentary constituency in Kuala Lumpur
and won, defeating Barisan Nasional
's Lim Si Pin
(son of former national president of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia
Lim Keng Yaik
) with a 9,455 majority.
Chua was educated in Siang Lin Primary School and Malacca Catholic High School. He then studied Lower Six in Gajah Berang High School.
In 1982, Tian went to continue his studies in Australia. He first studied Matriculation in South Sydney High School. After completing HSC, he got admitted into Agricultural Science in Sydney University.
“I wanted to be a scientist and invent things, like (Thomas) Edison. I got interested in the agro-sciences as I wanted to study things that could be useful,” recalls Chua.
But in his third year, he switched to Philosophy at the University of New South Wales
. Australia
in the 1980s was a hotbed for student activists. “My father had hoped I’d study law for good future prospects. But I became exposed to peace movements, environmental issues, and human rights situations around the world.”
He became an active student leader and was involved in student movement under the Network of Overseas Student Collectives (NOSCA) and Left Alliance. His mates included Steven Gan and Premesh Chandran, co-founders of news website Malaysiakini. Together, they protested against the imposition of university fees on foreign students started by Bob Hawke
’s administration in 1985.
Chua had his first taste of arrest when he was locked up after a demonstration in Sydney
. He was also recruited by East Timor
then leader-in-exile, now president Ramos Horta to help prepare newsletters.
(ISA). He also began to get involved in the labour movement in Malaysia. In 1992, he joined Hong Kong
-based Asia Monitor Resource Center (AMRC), a regional labour research NGO.
After his contract in Hong Kong
ended, he went for further studies in the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague
, The Netherlands. He graduated with Masters in Employment & Labour Studies. Tian again returned to Malaysia in 1996 and continued to pursue a trail of life as social activist.
In 1997, Tian was appointed the director of Labour Resource Centre (LRC). The centre was found in 1990 by a group of trade unionists and labour activists. He was also in the Board of SUARAM.
In 1998, SUARAM initiated a forum comprised NGOs and opposition parties known as Gagasan Demokrasi Rakyat Malaysia. The forum was officially launched during the saga of Anwar Ibrahim and Reformasi. Tian was elected the chairperson of the movement.
movement in Malaysia in 1999 due to the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim
as Deputy Prime Minister. He became famous when images of him sitting defiantly in front of a police water cannon truck were splashed across the global media during the height of the movement.
Between September 27 and 30, 1999, Tian Chua and six other activists, including Keadilan leaders; Youth leader Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, Mohamed Azmin Ali
and Dr Badrul Amin Baharun; were arrested and as a result prevented from contesting in the 1999 general elections
. Further arrests were made on 10 April 2001 and those arrested were subsequently charged and incarcerated under the Internal Security Act
. They became known as the Reformasi 10.
At the Kamunting detention camp, Chua kept himself busy by dabbling in his love for drawing and painting.
He drew the insects that entered his cell and made over 100 Hari Raya and Chinese New Year cards for friends and family. He had much time to read (including heavy tomes like Homer's Iliad, and learnt Thai, Norwegian, Arabic, French
and Sanskrit
, which he has mostly forgotten now.
Tian Chua spent two years in detention under the Internal Security Act (Malaysia)
and numerous times in police lock-ups for championing various causes since 1996.
and formed Parti Keadilan Rakyat
. Tian was appointed the Information Chief, a post held until today.
He has manned the Parti Keadilan Rakyat
service centre in the heart of Sentul since it was opened in 2004.
In the 2008 general elections
, Tian Chua contested in the Batu
parliamentary constituency in Kuala Lumpur
and won, defeating Barisan Nasional
's Lim Si Pin
with a 9,455 majority.
Areas that come under his Batu
constituency include Sentul. The constituency has the most Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) public housing apartments and one of the highest rates of petty crime in the city.
Now that he is a lawmaker himself, Tian Chua has pledged not to change his ways:
, is a Malaysian politician and is currently the Member of Parliament for the Batu
Batu, Kuala Lumpur
Batu is the name of a parliamentary constituency on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, not to be confused with the town and constituency of Batu Gajah in the Malaysian state of Perak.Settlements which are part of Batu constituency include Sentul...
constituency in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia. He is also information chief of Parti Keadilan Rakyat
Parti Keadilan Rakyat
The People's Justice Party , often known simply as KeADILan) is a centrist political party in Malaysia formed in 2003 by a merger of the National Justice Party and the older Malaysian People's Party...
, the largest opposition party in the Parliament of Malaysia
Parliament of Malaysia
The Parliament of Malaysia is the national legislature of Malaysia, based on the Westminster system. The bicameral parliament consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The King as the Head of State is the third component of Parliament....
. He formerly served as vice-president of the party.
Tian Chua first burst into the limelight in 1999 when images of him sitting defiantly in front of a police water cannon truck were splashed across the global media during the height of the Reformasi
Reformasi (Malaysia)
The Reformasi movement in Malaysia was initiated by Anwar Ibrahim and his supporters shortly after he was sacked as Deputy Prime Minister in 1998. It consisted of several mass demonstrations and rallies against the long-standing Barisan Nasional coalition government, and continued until Anwar was...
movement in Malaysia due to the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar bin Ibrahim is a Malaysian politician who served as Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister from 1993 to 1998. Early in his career, Anwar was a close ally of Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad but subsequently emerged as the most prominent critic of Mahathir's government.In 1999, he was sentenced...
as Deputy Prime Minister.
Between September 27 and 30, 1999, Tian Chua and six other activists, including Keadilan leaders; Youth leader Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, Mohamed Azmin Ali
Mohamed Azmin Ali
Mohamed Azmin bin Ali is a Malaysian politician and currently the Member of Parliament for the Gombak as well as assemblyman for Bukit Antarabangsa in the Selangor State Assembly...
and Dr Badrul Amin Baharun; were arrested and as a result prevented from contesting in the 1999 general elections
Malaysian general election, 1999
The 1999 Malaysian General Election was held on 29 November 1999 as stipulated by the laws of Malaysia for general elections. As expected, the Barisan Nasional coalition maintained its majority in parliament, and thus, its grip on the post of Prime Minister....
. Further arrests were made on 10 April 2001 and those arrested were subsequently charged and incarcerated under the Internal Security Act
Internal Security Act (Malaysia)
The Internal Security Act 1960 is a preventive detention law in force in Malaysia. The legislation was enacted after Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957. The ISA allows for detention without trial or criminal charges under limited, legally defined circumstances...
. They became known as the Reformasi 10.
In the 2008 general elections
Malaysian general election, 2008
The 12th Malaysian general election was held on March 8, 2008, in accordance with Malaysian laws for national elections, which states that a general election must be held no later than five years subsequent to the previous elections; the previous general election was held in 2004...
, Tian Chua contested in the Batu
Batu, Kuala Lumpur
Batu is the name of a parliamentary constituency on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, not to be confused with the town and constituency of Batu Gajah in the Malaysian state of Perak.Settlements which are part of Batu constituency include Sentul...
parliamentary constituency in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
and won, defeating Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
's Lim Si Pin
Lim Si Pin
Lim Si Pin is a Malaysian politician. From 2008 to 2011, he served as the head of the youth wing of Gerakan, a component party of Barisan Nasional...
(son of former national president of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia
Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia
The Malaysian People's Movement Party is a political party in Malaysia. The party was founded on March 24, 1968, and , it is part of the ruling National Front coalition....
Lim Keng Yaik
Lim Keng Yaik
Tun Dr. Lim Keng Yaik is a former Malaysian politician and former Minister of Energy, Water and Communications in the Malaysian cabinet. He was the national president of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia from 1980 until stepping down on April 8, 2007 to pave the way for Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon...
) with a 9,455 majority.
Early life
Born in Melaka on December 21, 1963, he was the eldest of four siblings. His father, Chua Neo Lai, 71, is of Hakka descent and was a rice wholesaler. His late mother, Chan Yuet Chien, was a Chinese schoolteacher.Chua was educated in Siang Lin Primary School and Malacca Catholic High School. He then studied Lower Six in Gajah Berang High School.
In 1982, Tian went to continue his studies in Australia. He first studied Matriculation in South Sydney High School. After completing HSC, he got admitted into Agricultural Science in Sydney University.
“I wanted to be a scientist and invent things, like (Thomas) Edison. I got interested in the agro-sciences as I wanted to study things that could be useful,” recalls Chua.
But in his third year, he switched to Philosophy at the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
. Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in the 1980s was a hotbed for student activists. “My father had hoped I’d study law for good future prospects. But I became exposed to peace movements, environmental issues, and human rights situations around the world.”
He became an active student leader and was involved in student movement under the Network of Overseas Student Collectives (NOSCA) and Left Alliance. His mates included Steven Gan and Premesh Chandran, co-founders of news website Malaysiakini. Together, they protested against the imposition of university fees on foreign students started by Bob Hawke
Bob Hawke
Robert James Lee "Bob" Hawke AC GCL was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia from March 1983 to December 1991 and therefore longest serving Australian Labor Party Prime Minister....
’s administration in 1985.
Chua had his first taste of arrest when he was locked up after a demonstration in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. He was also recruited by East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
then leader-in-exile, now president Ramos Horta to help prepare newsletters.
Early career
Upon returning to Malaysia in 1990, he joined SUARAM in the campaign against Internal Security ActInternal Security Act (Malaysia)
The Internal Security Act 1960 is a preventive detention law in force in Malaysia. The legislation was enacted after Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957. The ISA allows for detention without trial or criminal charges under limited, legally defined circumstances...
(ISA). He also began to get involved in the labour movement in Malaysia. In 1992, he joined Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
-based Asia Monitor Resource Center (AMRC), a regional labour research NGO.
After his contract in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
ended, he went for further studies in the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, The Netherlands. He graduated with Masters in Employment & Labour Studies. Tian again returned to Malaysia in 1996 and continued to pursue a trail of life as social activist.
In 1997, Tian was appointed the director of Labour Resource Centre (LRC). The centre was found in 1990 by a group of trade unionists and labour activists. He was also in the Board of SUARAM.
In 1998, SUARAM initiated a forum comprised NGOs and opposition parties known as Gagasan Demokrasi Rakyat Malaysia. The forum was officially launched during the saga of Anwar Ibrahim and Reformasi. Tian was elected the chairperson of the movement.
ISA Detention
Chua was involved with the ReformasiReformasi (Malaysia)
The Reformasi movement in Malaysia was initiated by Anwar Ibrahim and his supporters shortly after he was sacked as Deputy Prime Minister in 1998. It consisted of several mass demonstrations and rallies against the long-standing Barisan Nasional coalition government, and continued until Anwar was...
movement in Malaysia in 1999 due to the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar bin Ibrahim is a Malaysian politician who served as Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister from 1993 to 1998. Early in his career, Anwar was a close ally of Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad but subsequently emerged as the most prominent critic of Mahathir's government.In 1999, he was sentenced...
as Deputy Prime Minister. He became famous when images of him sitting defiantly in front of a police water cannon truck were splashed across the global media during the height of the movement.
Between September 27 and 30, 1999, Tian Chua and six other activists, including Keadilan leaders; Youth leader Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, Mohamed Azmin Ali
Mohamed Azmin Ali
Mohamed Azmin bin Ali is a Malaysian politician and currently the Member of Parliament for the Gombak as well as assemblyman for Bukit Antarabangsa in the Selangor State Assembly...
and Dr Badrul Amin Baharun; were arrested and as a result prevented from contesting in the 1999 general elections
Malaysian general election, 1999
The 1999 Malaysian General Election was held on 29 November 1999 as stipulated by the laws of Malaysia for general elections. As expected, the Barisan Nasional coalition maintained its majority in parliament, and thus, its grip on the post of Prime Minister....
. Further arrests were made on 10 April 2001 and those arrested were subsequently charged and incarcerated under the Internal Security Act
Internal Security Act (Malaysia)
The Internal Security Act 1960 is a preventive detention law in force in Malaysia. The legislation was enacted after Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957. The ISA allows for detention without trial or criminal charges under limited, legally defined circumstances...
. They became known as the Reformasi 10.
At the Kamunting detention camp, Chua kept himself busy by dabbling in his love for drawing and painting.
He drew the insects that entered his cell and made over 100 Hari Raya and Chinese New Year cards for friends and family. He had much time to read (including heavy tomes like Homer's Iliad, and learnt Thai, Norwegian, Arabic, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
, which he has mostly forgotten now.
Tian Chua spent two years in detention under the Internal Security Act (Malaysia)
Internal Security Act (Malaysia)
The Internal Security Act 1960 is a preventive detention law in force in Malaysia. The legislation was enacted after Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957. The ISA allows for detention without trial or criminal charges under limited, legally defined circumstances...
and numerous times in police lock-ups for championing various causes since 1996.
Political involvement
In 1999, Tian Chua was invited to join the newly founded Parti Keadilan Nasional headed by Dr Wan Azizah. He was then elected the national vice president. In 2004, KeADILan merged with Parti Rakyat MalaysiaParti Rakyat Malaysia
The Parti Rakyat Malaysia is a democratic socialist political party in Malaysia. Established on November 11, 1955 as Partai Ra'ayat, it is one of the older political parties in Malaysia and traces its pedigree to the anti-colonial movements from the pre World War II period like the Kesatuan Melayu...
and formed Parti Keadilan Rakyat
Parti Keadilan Rakyat
The People's Justice Party , often known simply as KeADILan) is a centrist political party in Malaysia formed in 2003 by a merger of the National Justice Party and the older Malaysian People's Party...
. Tian was appointed the Information Chief, a post held until today.
He has manned the Parti Keadilan Rakyat
Parti Keadilan Rakyat
The People's Justice Party , often known simply as KeADILan) is a centrist political party in Malaysia formed in 2003 by a merger of the National Justice Party and the older Malaysian People's Party...
service centre in the heart of Sentul since it was opened in 2004.
In the 2008 general elections
Malaysian general election, 2008
The 12th Malaysian general election was held on March 8, 2008, in accordance with Malaysian laws for national elections, which states that a general election must be held no later than five years subsequent to the previous elections; the previous general election was held in 2004...
, Tian Chua contested in the Batu
Batu, Kuala Lumpur
Batu is the name of a parliamentary constituency on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, not to be confused with the town and constituency of Batu Gajah in the Malaysian state of Perak.Settlements which are part of Batu constituency include Sentul...
parliamentary constituency in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
and won, defeating Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
's Lim Si Pin
Lim Si Pin
Lim Si Pin is a Malaysian politician. From 2008 to 2011, he served as the head of the youth wing of Gerakan, a component party of Barisan Nasional...
with a 9,455 majority.
Areas that come under his Batu
Batu, Kuala Lumpur
Batu is the name of a parliamentary constituency on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, not to be confused with the town and constituency of Batu Gajah in the Malaysian state of Perak.Settlements which are part of Batu constituency include Sentul...
constituency include Sentul. The constituency has the most Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) public housing apartments and one of the highest rates of petty crime in the city.
Now that he is a lawmaker himself, Tian Chua has pledged not to change his ways:
Elections Result
| Year | Parliamentary seat | Votes Obtained | Majority | Ballots Cast | Opponent | Turnout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | P115 Batu, KL | 29,785 | won by 9,455 | 51,303 | Lim Si Pin Lim Si Pin Lim Si Pin is a Malaysian politician. From 2008 to 2011, he served as the head of the youth wing of Gerakan, a component party of Barisan Nasional... (BN - Gerakan) |
72.72% |