There is a running joke in Penang that PKR is like a "headless" chicken without a state chief since the appointed one, Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, has resigned from her post.
Current PKR MPs and assemblypersons are in the dark as to who would replace Nurul Izzah as no one has been informed about the party's latest development.
Although the 13 PKR divisions wanted Nurul Izzah to stay on as state chief, she has been adamant about her resignation.
A reliable party source said that the leadership recently shortlisted three candidates for the post.
They are Deputy Tourism, Art and Culture Minister Bakhtiar Wan Chik, who is the Balik Pulau MP; Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, who is the Pinang Tunggal assemblyperson; and Batu Maung assemblyperson Abdul Halim Hussain.
"Looking at the trend, Bakhtiar (on right in photo) would most likely be appointed as the state chief due to his current status as deputy minister and the MP who had recaptured the much sought after Balik Pulau seat from BN," the source told Malaysiakini on condition of anonymity.
A former Penang local councillor, Bakhtiar replaced PKR's Yusmadi Yusoff as the candidate for Balik Pulau in the 2013 and 2018 general elections.
Yusmadi, now a senator appointed by the Penang government, was dropped as the Balik Pulau candidate in 2013. Bakhtiar contested for the seat in that election, but lost to BN-Umno's Dr Hilmi Yahya.
Bakhtiar managed to seize the constituency back from Umno in the 14th general election last year and was appointed a deputy minister when Pakatan Harapan took over Putrajaya from the BN.
However, the Penang PKR leaders are uncertain when the announcement for the state chief would be made.
Without a state chief, PKR is unable to form a state committee to carry out its duties and functions - since the party's chaotic internal elections ended about two months ago.
At least one leader has called for the party leadership to name its Penang chief soon, saying this is a "crucial state".
State executive councillor and PKR Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin (photo) said the state needed input from the party's leadership in Penang and any effort to develop the state would be affected by the delay in appointing the state chief.
"This is our duty and responsibility. Whoever is the state chief has to administer the party properly," Afif said, referring to former state chief and Nibong Tebal MP Mansor Othman.
"Under the previous leadership, we managed to fulfil our duty to capture all seats for PKR in the 14th general election, both the state assembly and parliamentary seats.
"Not many states could achieve that," Afif told journalists at an event in Komtar yesterday.
"It is not easy to keep up with his (Mansor's) track record and whoever is appointed has to step up to the game," he added.
On Dec 16, the PKR leadership declared Nurul Izzah, who is party president Anwar Ibrahim's eldest daughter, as the Penang PKR chief.
Following accusations of nepotism hurled at Anwar, Nurul Izzah resigned, saying she needed to rest.
She also resigned from her post of party vice-president and added that she would not serve the government in any capacity. -Mkini
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