Chua is MCA deputy president, again

Chua Soi Lek (file pic)

PUTRAJAYA, 3 Nov 2009: The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has declared that Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek remains as MCA deputy president.

Registrar Datuk Md Alias Kalil said the ROS felt that there was no vacancy for the post. He said this was because the decision on the resolution during the MCA extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on 10 Oct 2009 did not fulfill the requirement for a two-thirds majority as provided for under Article 35 of the party constitution.

He said the ROS had sent a letter to the MCA, dated today, on the matter.

“The letter confirmed that there was no vacancy for the post of MCA deputy president following the EGM on Oct 10 based on the party constitution.

“The post will only be vacant if the delegates give a two-thirds majority for the expulsion,” Md Alias told Bernama when contacted today.

He said this when asked to comment on the claim by a member of the MCA central committee (CC) today that Dr Chua had been reinstated as MCA deputy president through a letter sent by the ROS.

Dr Chua also confirmed later that he had received the letter from the ROS stating that he was still the MCA deputy president.

In August, Dr Chua was expelled from the MCA with immediate effect because of a secret video recording of him having sex with a woman who was not his wife, that was circulated two years ago.

His sacking was later commuted to a four-year suspension by the party central committee. However, after the 10 Oct EGM, Dr Chua was removed as deputy president and his post was eventually filled by MCA vice-president Liow Tiong Lai at a 15 Oct central committee meeting.

However, Liow has since been at loggerheads with MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat. Earlier today, four central committee members, who had backed Liow’s call for a fresh EGM to be held to decide whether the party should have fresh elections, were sacked by Ong.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Barisan Nasional (BN) accepted Dr Chua’s position as MCA deputy president following the ROS’s declaration.

“We follow the law and constitution. If that is the position confirmed by the ROS, then we must accept (Chua’s position),” Muhyiddin told reporters after opening the Seminar on Educational Development Under the 10th Malaysia Plan today.

Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairperson, said he felt that the ROS decision was based on technical and legal aspects and on the MCA constitution. — Bernama