The Selangor government may decide tomorrow on providing legal assistance to embattled Sri Muda assemblyperson Shuhaimi Shafiei who yesterday was charged with sedition.

Malaysiakini understands that the matter may be on the agenda for the weekly state exco meeting in Shah Alam.

A source close to the state government said the legal team appointed to defend Shuhaimi was yet to be finalised, and that details may be ironed out and rubber-stamped tomorrow.

NONE “We know that Shuhaimi (centre in photo) already has his own team of lawyers. We’ll see if the other excos come to an agreement or not,” said the source.

“But because the state government supports the move, it first needs the full approval of the exco.”

Despite objections expressed by several parties, it is understood that the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government will commit to funding legal aid for Shuhaimi.

“Let the criticism rain in. (Shuhaimi) has been oppressed and he is our public representative,” added the source.

‘Bad precedent’

Even before he was charged, the state government had said that it would support Shuhaimi in his trial, as well as foot his legal bills in his “effort for justice”, prompting brickbats from certain quarters.

yap pian hon interview 160608 06 Selangor BN publicity chief Yap Pian Hon (left) echoed this today, condemning the Selangor government for abusing power and setting a bad precedent.

"If the PKR politician cannot afford the legal fee, he can apply to the legal aid bureau. Government coffers should not be used to pay the legal fees of a politician who has made a personal statement," Yap said in a statement.

He demanded that the state government rescinds its intention and apologises to the people.

Yesterday, Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang said this would set a bad precedent among Pakatan-led states, as the case involved the actions of an individual and not something sanctioned by the state.

“If Pakatan wishes to help the Sri Muda assemblyperson, I suggest that it pays his legal costs using money from Pakatan coffers. Do not involve the rakyat's money,” Tan had said.

The anti-Pakatan Selangor government movement, Gaps, had also hit out at Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, saying that legal aid pledge was a clear sign of wastage and corruption in using public funds to help a “traitor”.