KUALA LUMPUR - It was only a matter of time for the inevitable to happen. And it did late Wednesday night.

MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek has been sacked from the party with immediate effect. The reason - the damage inflicted upon the image of the party brought about by Chua's sex scandal in 2007.

Announcing the sacking of his deputy, MCA president Ong Tee Keat revealed that the MCA presidential council in a lengthy meeting collectively made a decision to accept the disciplinary board's recommendation to expel Chua from the party with immediate effect.

Ong said that under Article 127 (A) of the party constitution, Chua was allowed to appeal the decision to the central committee within 14 days.

Collective decision

He said according to Article 128 of MCA's constitution, the decision of the central committee on matters of discipline was final and conclusive and shall not be subject to question by or in any court of law.

"We did so with a heavy heart after giving much consideration to the damage inflicted upon the party's image brought about by his sex scandal featured in a DVD. "This decision has been made in the best interest of the party," Ong told a press conference soon after the meeting ended.

Ong also said that he would explain the decision of the presidential council to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman.

"We, as members of the presidential council will stand as one and we shall collectively be responsible for this decision," he added, wihout responding to questions raised by members of the media, who had waited for almost six hours.

Meanwhile, Chua said he was not suprised with the decision.

He said many party members had expected it following Ong deeming him a threat to the party. Chua said this before he left Wisma MCA here where the council deliberated his case.

However, he said, as a member who loved the party and loyal to it, he would accept the decision.

Chua not joining opposition

Asked whether he would appeal, he said: "Whether to appeal or not to appeal I have not given any thought about it".

He also stated that he would not join the opposition.

Chua's sex video first surfaced in December 2007 and on Jan 1, 2008, he admitted that he was the man featured in the sex DVD. He subsequently resigned as health minister and MCA vice-president.

Chua was also dropped as a candidate in the March 2008 general election.

However, Chua made a political comeback in last October's MCA election in which he was voted in as deputy president. He was then appointed BN coordinator in the Pakatan-ruled states by the prime minister.