Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president Tian Chua has penned his first book, which details his foray into politics since his days as a student in Australia.

Titled New Political Idealism, the book talks about how the ex-Internal Security Act detainee transformed from a student activist, to championing labour rights and now a 'new generation politician'.

The 243-page book written in Mandarin and published by New Vision Studio was launched on Monday at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur. Some 70-odd people attended the event.

The book comprises nine main chapters containing his views on several issues, previous articles and also features interviews with the 40-year-old politician's friends, family and fiancee.

It also has a collection of his drawings which were done during his two-year incarceration under the ISA for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government through militancy, a charge he has denied.

Student activism

Hailing from Melaka, Tian Chua graduated in Philosophy from University of New South Wales in the 1980s. It was here that his activism began especially after the Australian government introduced the education privatisation policy.

He was arrested on three occasions in the ensuing protests but was released unconditionally following pressure from local non-government groups.

In 1991, he worked in Hong Kong with the Asia Monitor Resource Centre and completed his masters degree in labour studies. He returned to Malaysia in 1997.

Following this, he joined human rights group Suaram and provided consultation on labour rights issues. Later, with the support of friends, he set up the Labour Research Centre.

In 1998, he became involved in a movement called 'Gagasan Rakyat' - formed by various non-government organisations and opposition parties - which demanded for better governance.

Later that year, the political turmoil in Malaysia following the sacking of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim propelled Tian Chua into the limelight.

He took part in many of the street demonstrations and was arrested and assaulted several times by the police. On one occasion, he had sat in the middle of the road, preventing the Federal Reserve Unit's vehicles from advancing.

When opposition party Keadilan was formed in 1999 with Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at its helm, Tian Chua was elected vice-president.

'New political culture'

In 2001, he was among several Keadilan leaders and pro-reformasi activists who were held under the ISA over the militancy charge. Subsequently, he and five others were slapped with a two-year detention order which expired this June.

"Our struggle is not to establish another new ruling clique, but we want to build a new political culture, a new democracy system where the use of power will be monitored. This is the only way to stop an single person or party from possessing absolute control," said Tian Chua in his book.

Speaking at the launch, he said the book aimed to encourage people to be confident when faced with obstacles because the "law of history will eventually overthrow tyranny".

New Vision Studio director Yong Kai Ping said 1,500 copies were printed and have been distributed to all major bookstores nationwide. The book is priced at RM20 per copy.

He said the idea for the book was first mooted in 2001 after Tian was arrested. The book will also be published in English and Bahasa Malaysia soon.