This comes after former PKR vice-president Tian Chua nominated himself as an independent candidate for the Batu seat.

“It is unfortunate (Tian Chua) choose this path,” Anwar told reporters after submitting his nomination papers for the Tambun seat at the Ipoh Industrial Training Institute.

“He is a passionate and dedicated reformist (but) I don’t think this action is something that a reformist should be doing.

“Whatever it is, we have taken the appropriate action.”

Earlier, Tian Chua said he was ready to face any disciplinary action from the party for contesting the Batu seat as an independent candidate.

Nonetheless, the former Batu MP told Malaysiakini that he was “always with Pakatan Harapan and PKR” in spirit.

“This is a party I have a strong emotional attachment to. I love and support all PKR leaders despite the internal differences that we have,” he said, stressing that he had not quit PKR.

He claimed the composition of Batu voters had increased by over 30,000 voters since 2018 with a rise in Malay voters, adding that these factors were why PKR’s P Prabakaran could lose at the polls.

“My part here (as an independent candidate) is to ensure we do not risk losing Batu to PKR’s opponents.”

PKR named Prabakaran to defend the seat he won as an independent in the last general election (GE14) before joining the party.

Tian Chua was the Batu MP from 2008 to 2018 but failed to defend his seat in GE14 after he was disqualified on nomination day.

Earlier today, Prabakaran said he was disappointed that Tian Chua had chosen to contest GE15 as an independent candidate and accused him of being selfish.

The Batu seat will be a contest among 10 candidates, with big names like MIC vice-president A Kohilan Pillay (Barisan Nasional) and Gerak Independent’s Siti Kasim in the fray.

Other candidates include Azhar Yahya from Perikatan Nasional, P Naganathan (Warisan) and Wan Azliana Wan Adnan (Pejuang).

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