KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The MCA Central Committee (CC) today unanimously reinstated Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek as deputy president following the Registrar of Societies' (ROS) decision that the position had not been vacated.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the CC concurred with the reason given by the ROS.

"The CC meeting today accepted the ROS' decision that the post of deputy president is still held by Chua Soi Lek. As such, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai will resume his post as vice-president," he told reporters here today.

In a letter to the MCA dated today, the ROS said it felt that there was no vacancy for the post of deputy president as the decision on the resolution of the MCA Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Oct 10 did not fulfil the requirement for a two-thirds majority as provided for under Article 35 of the MCA Constitution.

Ong said the party would not stop Liow from filing an appeal against the decision.

Liow was appointed as deputy president by the CC on Oct 15, five days after the EGM returned a majority vote to deny Dr Chua his position as deputy president.

Ong said the CC meeting today also rejected a motion tabled by CC members for another EGM to be held.

At another news conference, Dr Chua said he was not surprised by the ROS' decision which he received at 11.30am.

"At all times I feel that I was still the rightful deputy president if we were to consult the party's constitution," he said.

Meanwhile, Liow said he had every right to hold the position, and added, "the MCA now has twin deputy presidents".

"I hereby reserve the right to challenge the decision of the ROS, I also reserve my right to go to the court to challenge the declaration," said Liow, who was accompanied by MCA Youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong and party Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun at a news conference.

He said the ROS' decision had contravened the party's constitution as it had no right to override the EGM's decision to remove Dr Chua as deputy president.

"Once the CC had invoked Article 174 to interpret and determine the meaning of the Order of the EGM, it shall not be questioned, challenged, reviewed or quashed by any court of law. This position has the full support of Section 18C of the Societies Act 1966," said Liow.