UDPATED

By Lee Wei Lian

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — The position of MCA deputy president was restored today to Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek two and half months after he was sacked and just nineteen days after Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai was elected deputy.

Dr Chua’s son was confirmed as a new central committee member along with Datuk Donald Lim and Tan Chin Ming to replace four others that were sacked by Ong this morning.

The decision to reinstate Dr Chua was made following a declaration by the Registrar of Societies that the deputy president position was not vacant following the results of the October 10 EGM that saw Dr Chua’s suspension overturned but his bid to be restored as deputy president rejected.

Liow told reporters that he reserves the right to challenge the RoS decision and reserves the right to seek a court declaration to declare the RoS decision null and void.

The EGM to push for fresh polls by one third of the central committee was also rejected.

“The proposed EGM was found to go against the constitution by the legal bureau,” Ong said in a press conference.

Ong had also appointed a new legal bureau chief - Lim Hong Sang - today to replace the one he sacked a few weeks ago.

Ong confirmed that Liow would remain as vice president.

Sources say however, that Liow did not object during the meeting when Dr Chua appeared and then sat in the chair meant for the deputy president.

After the central committee meeting, the two factions held separate press conferences at about the same time.

Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, a one time Liow ally appeared to have switched camps and chose to appear at the Ong-Chua press conference.

Ong said that he now has the written support from 27 central committee members for the unity plan and verbal commitments from several more.

He said that the unity plan was discussed but Liow said only the framework was presented.

Ong and Dr Chua appear committed to push through the unity plan while Liow and his key allies, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun appear scornful.

“We are shocked that just before the meeting four appointed committee members were chopped,” said Liow.

“They have done nothing wrong. Before the unity plan has started, they have already become the first victims. Ong is using a unity plan to sack other people. This is not unity.”

Ong however said that the appointments were only for one year beginning October last year after which it would be subject to review.

Dr Chua said the removal of the appointees was the prerogative of the president and it was party tradition for the tenure to last only a year.

Loh Seng Kok, a central committee member aligned to Dr Chua, said that all parties needed to learn a lesson from the protracted power struggle.

“They need to learn to synchronise their steps and communicate better,” he said.

Other appointments announced today include Dr Chua as head of the MCA task force on budget, Senator Heng Seai Kee as Information Bureau chief and a proposal for Paul Kong to be appointed as a new senator.