KUALA LUMPUR: Taking cue from MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, suspended Gerakan vice-president Huan Cheng Guan is considering writing to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to determine the status of his party position.

Huan said it would be appropriate for the ROS to interpret the constitution of Gerakan and to determine if his three-year suspension as an elected vice-president was according to procedure, as there were good grounds for his reinstatement if the ROS take a holistic approach.

"Many of my supporters have asked me to press for an EGM to be reinstated. I have also received many SMSes and calls asking me to write to the ROS," he told The Edge Financial Daily.

Huan said at this juncture he was seriously considering writing to the ROS but, if reinstated, he had no intention of pushing for changes or seeking a vote of no confidence against the party leadership.

He said it was perplexing that almost immediately after his suspension in June, his name was taken off the party's organs such as its official website and newsletters and the register of national delegates conference.

Huan, who is the former Batu Kawan MP, was suspended for three years by Gerakan's central working committee (CWC) for openly attacking the party and its leadership.

"How can they (Gerakan) treat their own saudara like that. What will the public perception be on the party?" said Huan.

Huan said Gerakan could have at least maintained his name on the national central committee list with notation of his suspension. He alleged that his name was removed as someone had wanted to end his political career prematurely.

Asked why he did not attend the 38th national delegate conference, he said: "Not invited, how to go?"

Huan, who is said to be popular among the grassroots, still rued the fact that he was not given an opportunity to defend himself when the CWC deliberated his case.

"Satu Hati, 1Malaysia, where got satu?" he said, in reference to the lower turnout at the party's national delegates conference.

The Gerakan national central committee members (2008-2011) list distributed at the national delegates conference showed the party had seven elected and appointed vice-presidents. They are: Datuk Mah Siew Keong, A Kohilan Pillay, Datuk Tan Lian Hoe, Lim Si Pin, Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye, Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan and Datuk Raymond Tan.

When contacted, a senior party leader advised that Huan be patient and not bring the ROS into the picture, as the party followed the necessary steps and took into consideration his contribution to the party before meting out the punishment.

He said under the party constitution, a suspension could be reviewed within six months and Huan should instead use party channels to seek an early reinstatement or find an amicable solution.

"In the MCA crisis, Dr Chua's (Soi Lek) appeal to the ROS was necessary as what was at stake was the future of the party. But not in Huan's case," he said. He cautioned that Huan would be perceived as having put his interest ahead of the party's if he were to appeal to the ROS.

The Gerakan leader, who declined to be named, added that the party's central committee set up a three-man special committee in July to look into Huan's case, monitor his behaviour and recommend appropriate action, thus the suspended vice-president always had a chance to redeem himself in the party.