Hee may get spot in exco line-up

(The Star) Jelapang assemblyman Hee Yit Foong could be in the state’s new executive council line-up.

Although previously from DAP, the now independent assemblyman might just make the cut by virtue of being the only other Chinese representative besides Chenderiang assemblyman Dr Mah Hang Soon from the MCA.

The irony is that Hee and Dr Mah, a cardiologist, were previously at loggerheads with each other while contesting the Jelapang state seat in the 2004 general election.

Hee, who won then, has previous experience as deputy speaker in the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government and showed no animosity towards Barisan Nasional assemblymen.

According to the views of two legal experts, there are no laws to limit who the Mentri Besar can appoint in his exco line-up.

However, they have differing views on whether independent assemblymen could be picked for the job.

Former Court of Appeal Judge Datuk N.H. Chan said Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir could appoint anyone he wanted from within the ruling coalition and others friendly towards it.

Former Malaysian Bar Council president S. Theivanthiran said independent assemblymen could not become exco members as they might not work for the government.