Prabakaran Parameswaran

Prabakaran was born in Batu, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and has lived and grown up there ever since his birth on 8 February 1996. Prabakaran became interested in politics from his primary school days. His father used to force him to watch parliamentary debates and read newspapers. However, he was not keen. Only after a few years, he started to understand the changes needed in Malaysia. He later became active in debates including those with political themes in school.

Prabakaran initially contested for the Batu federal seat in Kuala Lumpur on independent ticket where he should have faced opponents Chua Tian Chang from PH and PKR who was going to defend his seat, Dominic Lau Hoe Chai from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (GERAKAN), Azhar Yahya from the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) as well as another independent Panjamorthy Muthusami. However, Chua was disqualified from contesting in the election after returning officer Anwar Mohd Zain had made the decision based on a Shah Alam High Court ruling on 2 March 2018 which fined Tian Chua RM 2,000 for insulting the modesty of a police officer that removed the eligibility of him in contesting. Chua decried the decision and accused the political opponents of BN by stating that "They are using dirty tactics to thwart the victory of PH". After that, Prabakaran offered himself to represent PH and PKR to contest on behalf as he and his family were PKR supporters. [1] Chua then accepted the offer and turned his support for Prabakaran and helped the latter in campaigning efforts to prevent a walkover victory for BN in Batu. He reiterated his disappointment but also praising Prabakaran by adding that “I am disappointed by the decision of the court, but Prabakaran is young, energetic and idealistic, we hope to groom him to be an activist".

On 9 May 2018, Prabakaran went on to win the Batu federal seat with the help of PH and PKR by defeating all the three opponents with a total of 38,125 votes and the majority of 24,438 votes. After his victory, he quickly established his priorities as the Batu MP ranging from fighting for the rights of the youths, lowering the cost of living for young families, bringing down the voting age from 21 to 18, improving public infrastructure, making towns and cities more disabled-friendly, improving vocational and tertiary education to increasing internship opportunities for youths. He also envisioned a Malaysia where it treats all the races and religions equally and more involvements of youths in politics so as to build a more stable fundamental of leadership succession and preparing youths as leaders to take over Malaysia in future.[2] Just four days after the election on 13 May 2018, he joined PKR and PH at an event to celebrate his victory in the election with the locals in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.

Following his victory, he also created the history and a record as the youngest ever person elected as the MP at the age of 22 years, 90 days. Prabakaran said that he, as second-year law student, had planned to carry on his studies on a part-time basis. and would discuss with his lecturer and counsellors before making a decision. He revealed that although he was happy and excited, the emotions could not be over because then he would be unable to think straight. Moreover, Prabakaran said he would have a discussion with Chua on the direction and plans he had as the new Batu MP. Chua, who was also the PKR vice-president, said he would give his support as part of his service to the people and for it to be maintained. He also wished Prabakaran the best in politics and hoped that this would encourage more youths to join politics. Throughout his career in PKR, he was also appointed as Youth Chief of PKR of Federal Territory or Chief of Armada Muda Keadilan (AMK) (youth wing of PKR) of the Federal Territory. [3]

On 6 November 2019, High Court judge Mariana Yahya ruled that Chua did not lose his qualification to contest as a candidate for the Batu federal seat in the 2018 Malaysian general election after she allowed the originating summons by Chua against the Election Commission (EC). She also agreed with the decision made by two separate High Courts which ruled that qualifications and rights of Chua to contest were not affected due to RM2,000 levied against him for insulting a policeman.[4] At night on 15 November 2019, Prabakaran parked his Toyota Vellfire vehicle behind the PapaRich restaurant on Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur at about 11 pm and his vehicle was splattered with eggs, where eggshells were on the roof and front windscreen. He lodged police reports the following day. The attack came in the wake of news that a coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) demanded Prabakaran to step down as Batu MP in order for Chua to contest for the Batu seat in a by-election after the ruling that Chua did not lose eligibility to contest in 2018 election. Chua has denied any involvements. In response, Prabakaran clarified that he was not stepping down as Batu MP and said he would like to contribute his energy and effort for the good of PKR in realising the "reformasi" agenda and he would serve the people in a transparent and fair manner and would not drop them halfway through. In addition, he also claimed that Chua did not pressurise him and directly negotiated with him about his duties or to step down and instead gave him full support to carry on as Batu MP for a full term. He also said the people and voters of Batu wanted a spirited youth like him to solve their problems and explain the issues. [5] [6]

• 2020–2021 Malaysian political crisis
• Batu (Kuala Lumpur federal constituency)
• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics in Malaysia