“We do not need to fill it up immediately because we have sufficient directors at the moment,” he told reporters after an event at Armenian Park here tonight.

Jagdeep was removed as PBAHB’s non-executive director yesterday after failing to attend more than half of the board meetings held during the financial year.

PBAHB is the parent company of the Penang Water Supply Corporation, which treats and supplies water in the state.

Its chairman is Chow, while the board comprises 11 other members, which conventionally includes the state’s two deputy chief ministers.

Chow said Jagdeep failed to attend at least three of the board’s meetings as he had to undergo medical treatment for an ankle injury earlier this year.

“This is part of the responsibility of accepting the appointment as a director of a listed company,” he added.

“We have about five meetings a year. As a director of a listed company, one must be aware of their responsibility of complying with the statutory requirement.”