In another blow to former MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek, the Registrar of Societies (ROS) has decided not to sink its claws into the party crisis.

NONE Instead, the ROS reverted the matter back to MCA, whose central committee had shut the doors on a possible comeback by Chua in naming Liow Tiong Lai as the new deputy president last week.

The ROS' decision was revealed by Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein at the Parliament lobby this evening.

Chua had sought a clarification from the ROS on whether the resolution passed at the Oct 10 extraordinary general meeting to reinstate him as a party member also meant that he would reassume the number two post.

The delegates had voted against the resolution to reinstate him as number two, apart from also voting in favour of a no-confidence motion against his rival, MCA president Ong Tee Keat.

The EGM was called following the MCA presidential council's decision to sack Chua after he was found guilty of tarnishing the image of the party through his sex scandal.

Yesterday, Ong and Chua announced a truce in order to unite and strengthen MCA. This led to speculations that the ROS might reinstate Chua as number two.

Both of them had also met Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak the previous night, leading some observers to speculate that the peace plan was brokered by the premier.

However, both MCA leaders denied that there was any pressure from the top boss.

Chua can still appeal

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said Chua could still appeal to the minister under Section 18 of the Societies Act.

hishammuddin hussein home ministry 140409 talking "So I am leaving it to them to follow the due process. The minister cannot get involved until an appeal is filed," he told reporters.

Hishammuddin said both Chua and Ong have been informed of the ROS' decision.

Explaining further, the minister said there was a difference between Chua's case and the imbroglio in PPP between its president M Kayveas and sacked supreme council member T Murugiah.

"I was made to understand that in MCA's case, the ROS was asked to decide whether the decisions made during the EGM were binding or otherwise.

NONE "Whereas in PPP's case, it concerned the status of the EGM itself," he said.

"So the ROS has no grounds to make a decision, therefore the matter has been passed back to MCA in order for them to find a solution," he added.

When met at the same venue, Ong said it was still too early for him to comment on the ROS' decision.

"I still don't know, I have not read the letter from the ROS," added the transport minister.