The MCA presidential council will meet tonight, possibly to discuss the outcome of a disciplinary committee hearing against party deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek over a sex scandal.

Chinese-daily Kwong Wah Jit Poh speculated that the council is likely to endorse the disciplinary committee findings and impose a three-year suspension on Chua.

NONE The committee is probing complaints that Chua (left) had tarnished the party image after appearing in a widely circulated DVD showing him engaging in sexual intercourse with an unknown woman.

Complainant Eng Cheng Guan, the Simpang Renggam MCA division chair, alleged that the incident had brought the party into disrepute. He has since withdrawn the complaint but this was ignored by the disciplinary committee.

Tonight's meeting was apparently hastily arranged within less than 24 hours, while Sin Chew Daily reports that Chua was only notified of it at about 4.30pm yesterday.

His aide confirmed to the daily that he would be attending the meeting.

It is uncertain if he would be allowed to participate in the meeting while the disciplinary committee findings are being deliberated.

Ong vs Chua saga

Chua's supporters have long held that the charges brought against him was a conspiracy , masterminded by party president Ong Tee Keat, to curb his influence.

The two have been loggerheads since their election in October last year.

Chua has been consistently critical, though guarded, when commenting about Ong's handling of party affairs.

Though Chua has pledged to work with Ong, the latter did not appoint the former to any significant party positions, thereby limiting his powers.

Quoting sources, Kwong Wah Jit Poh said should Chua be suspended, his allies within the party might push for an extraordinary general meeting to overturn the presidential council's decision.

It has been widely rumoured that Chua's supporters have toured the country seeking support for a possible EGM.

Under party rules, one third of the central delegates must endorse the EGM before an order, calling for one, can be made.