(from left) Chua Soi Lek,  Liow Tiong Lai and Ong Tee Keat.

Liow, who was appointed by the party central committee (CC), served only 19 days as deputy president.

Dissatisfied with the ROS’ decision, Liow says he will seek a court declaration on his status in the party.

In a five-hour CC meeting chaired by party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, the members accepted the ROS’ decision.

Chua was also present at the meeting which also featured three new CC members appointed by the president who had earlier sacked four appointed members of the CC.

In a media conference after the meeting, Ong said he had also received 27 letters from CC members who pledged support for the party’s Greater Unity Plan (GUP) forged by Chua and him.

He also said that he had withdrawn his earlier requisition for another EGM to decide if fresh party elections should be called. On the requisition for a similar EGM by 16 CC members last Thursday, Ong said party secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng was studying the matter as the requisition was found to have violated the party constitution.

In PUTRAJAYA, ROS registrar Datuk Md Alias Kalil said there was no vacancy for the No. 2 post as the decision on the resolution of the Oct 10 EGM did not fulfil the requirement of a two-thirds majority as provided for under Article 35 of the party constitution.

Article 35 states that only a two-thirds majority of the EGM votes can unseat a party official.

"The letter (sent to MCA today) confirmed that there had been no vacancy for the post of deputy president following the EGM. The post will be vacant only if the delegates give a two-thirds majority for the expulsion," he told Bernama.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Barisan Nasional accepted Chua’s position as MCA deputy president as confimed by the ROS.