 | This article may have too many section headers. (January 2018) |
| Governor of Penang | |
|---|---|
| Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang | |
 | |
| Style | Tuan Yang Terutama |
| Residence | Seri Mutiara |
| Appointer | Yang di-Pertuan Agong |
| Inaugural holder | Raja Uda Raja Muhammad |
| Formation | 31 August 1957 |
| Website | www |
The governor of Penang (Malay: Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang) is the head of state of the Malaysian state of Penang. The role of governor is largely ceremonial with the power vested in the executive branch of the state government led by the chief minister.
Until the 18th century, the island of Penang was part of the Sultanate of Kedah. In 1786, the island was ceded by the sultan of Kedah to the East India Company, Francis Light representing the company.[1] Light renamed the island Prince of Wales Island. In 1790, after suffering a military defeat at the hands of Light, Sultan Abdullah formally handed over the island to the British. Light was appointed Superintendent of Prince of Wales Island.[1] From 1800 to 1805, the island was led by a lieutenant governor.[1]
In 1805, Prince of Wales Island became a residency, led by a governor.[1] In 1826, the island, along with Malacca and Singapore, were consolidated into the Straits Settlements. Thereafter, Penang was administered by a British resident councillor subordinate to the governor of the Straits Settlements.
Penang was occupied by the Japanese from 1941 to 1945.[1] After the surrender of the Japanese, the British returned and briefly imposed military rule on Malaya before forming the Malayan Union in 1946. During the Malayan Union and the pre-independence Federation of Malaya period, Penang was administered by British resident commissioners.
Since independence, the head of state of Penang, the governor (Malay: Yang di-Pertua Negeri), has been appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (king of Malaysia) after consultation with the chief minister of Penang.[2][3] The governor retains only ceremonial functions, including opening and dissolving the State Assembly, conferring state awards and appointing the chief minister after elections.[4] The chief minister is the head of the executive branch of the state government.
- ^ a b c d e "History of Penang". Visit Penang. Archived from the original on 2 January 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
- ^ "Article 1.(1), Constitution of the State of Penang" (PDF). Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ "Appointment Of Persons To Important Posts". Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
- ^ "Role". Penang State Government. Retrieved 17 July 2011.