PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail was sworn in today as the strategic adviser of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, reported the state’s newsletter Buletin Mutiara.

The low-key ceremony, which was held without informing the media, took place before Lim and state secretary Farizan Darus.

When called about the post, Saifuddin said he was currently in a meeting (in Kuala Lumpur) and would speak about the matter later. He will be in Penang next week.

Asked about the quiet affair (of his appointment), Saifuddin said he was "comfortable" with his low- profile image.

According to Buletin Mutiara, others who were present at the event were several state executive councillors, state legal adviser Anas Ahmad Zakie and state financial officer Sarul Bahiyah Abu.

Saifuddin had recently returned to take the PKR secretary-general’s post in November last year, taking over from Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli.

The move came after Rafizi’s 18-month jail sentence for breaching the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

Saifuddin was PKR’s first strategic director before assuming the post of secretary-general between 2010 and 2014.

Saifuddin first came under the limelight after winning the Lunas state assembly seat for PKR in 2004.

When contacted, Penang PKR election director Ong Chin Wen said the party's state leadership was told in advance that Saifuddin will be appointed to a certain post and will be given an important role in the state government.

Asked if there were any plans for Saifuddin to contest a state seat in Penang, Ong said matters about candidate arrangement will be decided by the party's central leadership.

"At the state level, the election bureau is focused on ensuring all election machinery are ready to face the coming election."