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Wednesday November 4, 2009

ROS reinstates Soi Lek


KUALA LUMPUR: The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has reinstated Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek as MCA deputy president.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat confirmed that the ROS had sent a letter to notify him and secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng of its decision yesterday morning.

Dr Chua, who was accompanied by his son Tee Yong, arrived at Wisma MCA to attend the central committee meeting, which started at 1pm.

He later told reporters that he had also received the ROS letter at 11.30am, confirming that he was still legally the party deputy president.

Later, at a press conference, Ong said the central committee members had also passed a resolution with a majority to accept the ROS’ decision.

“The central committee took cognisance of the ROS ruling to confirm Dr Chua as the rightful deputy president. The party constitution has stated that there is a need for a two-third majority to remove him (Dr Chua).

United stand: (From left) MCA treasurer-general Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng, Dr Chua, Ong, secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng, vice-president Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha and central committee member Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai posing for photographs after a central committee meeting at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday.

“Following this, Dr Chua will carry out the duties as the deputy president,” Ong told a press conference after chairing the central committee meeting yesterday.

In recognition of Dr Chua’s experience in the party and Government, Ong said he had also been appointed as head of the MCA Task Force on Budget.

“His primary task now is to look into the recently tabled Budget and how it can help ease the people’s burden following the global economic crisis and make Malaysians more competitive in the face of an increasingly globalised economy,” he added.

On the position of Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who was appointed to replace Dr Chua on Oct 15 by the central committee, Ong said Liow was still party vice-president.

Liow and several other central committee members, including Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, attended the meeting but left before Ong’s press conference.

At the meeting, Ong also appointed Tee Yong, who is Labis MP, former vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai and Ipoh Barat division chief Datuk Tan Chin Meng as central committee members.

“We will appoint a national organising secretary at a later date,” said Ong.

He also appointed Lim Hong Sang — a former Youth vice-chairman — to replace Datuk Leong Tang Chong as legal bureau chief and Wanita secretary-general Heng Seai Kie to replace Lee Wei Kiat as Information and Commu­nication bureau head.

“In any organisations, it is quite normal for a reshuffle to be made in the face of new challenges,” he added.

Ong also said he had called off his plan to have a new extraordinary general meeting.

“The central committee felt that they should be put on hold as such meetings are not only divisive but a strain on MCA’s thin resources, which otherwise can be put to better use for people-oriented programmes.

“There is no point in having one EGM after another,” he said.

On the requisition put in by the 16 central committee members last week, Ong said the central committee had been advised that this was unconstitutional.

“The party secretary-general, legal bureau chief and the requisitionists will discuss the matter further,” he said.

● Changes in MCA Central Committee

Related Stories:
Liow plans to challenge decision of ROS in court
Chua: A good start for MCA
Four CC members removed
Four members removed and three new ones appointed into MCA Central Committee

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