Penang state executive councillor Dr Afif Bahardin has revealed that Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin is the next deputy minister of agriculture and agro-based industries.

Afif said his revelation was based on a list of cabinet ministers and deputies which has gone viral.

He jokingly told a fishermen group in Bayan Lepas today that based on the viral list, they now have their MP as a deputy minister.

According to Afif, Sim had also contacted him on issues pertaining to his portfolio as he is in charge of agriculture and agro-business in Penang.

Afif, who is also PKR deputy Youth chief, added that it is alright for him to announce as a list of ministers and deputy ministers had gone viral.

"So after this, you can all approach him on your issues," said the Seberang Jaya assemblyperson.

"We will arrange a meeting soon with the new minister and deputy minister," Afif added.

The additional batch of ministerial posts and their deputies will be sworn in on July 2.

When contacted, Sim told Malaysiakini: "I do not wish to respond to rumours. Let's wait for Dr Mahathir's announcement".