In a meeting chaired by Nurul Izzah Anwar yesterday, the committee also decided that Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin would be made state deputy chairman for PKR.

Bakthiar is deputy tourism, arts and culture minister while Sim is deputy agriculture and agro-based industry minister.

The committee also appointed Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman as state PKR vice-chairman.

In a statement, it said Zulkifli Saad would be retained as secretary and Penang Island city councillor Francis Joseph as treasurer.

The post of state PKR chief became vacant following Nurul Izzah’s decision last month to relinquish all party positions. Nurul, who is Permatang Pauh MP, said she would be an ordinary party member beginning Dec 17.

Dr Afif Bahardin, the deputy chief of the Permatang Pauh PKR division, had urged party president Anwar Ibrahim to appoint a replacement, saying PKR’s input on the administration of the state government had been hampered while state party issues could not be addressed.

In a Twitter post responding to Bakhtiar’s appointment, Afif wished him well and encouraged him to further strengthen the party in Penang.