In a dramatic turn of events, the Registrar of Societies (ROS) has declared Dr Chua Soi Lek the legitimate MCA deputy president.

The ROS' decision was unveiled via a letter to the MCA headquarters today just ahead of a crucial central committee (CC) meeting to discuss the current impasse in the party.

The latest development puts newly-minted deputy president Liow Tiong Lai and his faction in a fix.

Chua was sacked as deputy president on Aug 26 but the CC commuted the sacking to a four-year suspension.

Deputy chief for 19 days

Liow, who has been deputy president for only 19 days, has refused to accept the stunning ROS' decision, saying he reserves the right to lodge an appeal or take the matter to court.

Alternatively, he might press on with his campaign for another extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to decide on fresh leadership polls.

NONE But with the new development today, which included the sacking of four members of the CC aligned to him, it appears that Liow is fighting a losing battle.

During the CC meeting, Ong had informed the powerful committee that Chua was now his deputy.

Liow's men out, Chua's men in

The CC was also told of the sacking of four of its appointed members.

In their place, Ong used his presidential powers to install three new faces aligned to Chua. They are Perak MCA vice-chief Tan Chin Meng, former vice-president Donald Lim and Chua's son Tee Yong.

Ong also appointed his own men in two key posts. He replaced information chief Lee Wee Kiat, a Liow supporter, with one of his own - MCA Wanita secretary-general Heng Seai Kie.

NONE He also picked party veteran Lim Hong Sang - seen as his loyalist - to be MCA's new legal bureau chief after having sacked Leong Tang Chong from the post two weeks ago.

Later, Chua was mobbed by reporters while on a toilet break during the CC meeting.

He was repeatedly pressed for comments on the ROS' decision by journalists waiting outside the meeting room.

"I got to know about it via a letter from ROS at 11.30am this morning. It is a decision based on the party constitution," he said.

According to Chua, he and his son subsequently "rushed" over to the MCA headquarters to attend the CC meeting. Both of them arrived at 1.10pm just in time for the meeting.

Asked how he felt, Chua jokingly replied, "I am feeling a bit 'hot' surrounded by you reporters."

Liow, who went for a toilet break before Chua, however refused to entertain questions from the press.

No EGM, says Ong

The CC meeting ended at 5.30pm, with Liow, Wanita Chew Mei Fun and Youth chief Wee Ka Siong leaving together along with a dozen of his supporters without attending the press conference.

NONE At a press conference following the meeting, Ong announced that there will not be another extraordinary general meeting (EGM) as demanded by 16 CC members.

"The EGM called by 16 CC members is found to be unconstitutional," he said. According to him, the requisition for the EGM was against Article 15 of the MCA constitution.

He has also retracted his own decision to call for the EGM following the Oct 15 CC meeting. "So no EGM," said Ong.

The embattled MCA president also said that 27 out of the 41 CC members has signed their backing for his 'greater unity plan' which he hatched with Chua.

This means that less than one-third in the CC support Liow.

Ong also confirmed that Chua is now his deputy, while Liow is back in his position as vice-president.

He said the CC had voted to reinstate Chua with a "simple majority".

"The party will push ahead with the 'greater unity plan'," said Ong

In addition, Sabah MCA deputy chief Paul Kong has been nominated by the party to be a senator.

Party boss sacks 4 CC members, appoints 3 new faces