A backbencher's proposal to create the post of deputy executive councillors drew sharp rebuke from a state opposition leader today.

"If implemented, the post will be unconstitutional and a waste of public funds," said Phee Boon Poh, the DAP state assemblyperson for Sungai Puyu.

He was responding to the proposal made yesterday by Barisan Nasional Seberang Jaya state assemblyperson Arif Shah Omar Shah, during the legislative assembly sitting.

Arif Shah said the Backbenchers Club wanted it implemented from next year. He even suggested that the deputies should not be paid.

"Our proposal is aimed at reducing the workload of state executive councillors," he told the assembly.

However, Phee pointed out that there is no provision in the state or even the Federal Constitution for such posts.

"If it is to be adopted by the state government, the constitution must be amended. Otherwise, such appointments would be unconstitutional," he told malaysiakini .

Political interest

Phee said the implication of the proposal is that executive councillors are neither up to mark nor carrying out their duties responsibly and effectively.

"Perhaps the proposal was made to satisfy the political interests of the ruling coalition," he said.

He said that, when the state government created the deputy chief minister's post after the 1990 general election, it was merely to cater to Umno's political interest.

DAP, then the single largest party in the state assembly with 14 state assemblypersons, had called on the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon, to amend the state constitution to legalise the post.

However, this has yet to be done and Umno has provided candidates to fill the post four times since then.

"That post is unconstitutional....the person is even being paid for holding the post. Now a backbencher is suggesting the post of deputy executive councillor," Phee noted.

He said it would be unthinkable for the government not to pay a salary and allowances to those appointed.

"In the long run, the government will come up with salary scale for them. Do we need this proposal at the time when the state coffers are drying up?" he said.

Phee brushed aside Arif Shah's claim that state executive councillors are burdened with work.

"Practically all the work is carried out by civil servants. The executive councillors only make decisions. So why is it a heavy burden?

"The state government should explore ways and means to enrich the state treasury rather than pondering over an unconstructive proposal."

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini's Penang-based stringer.