The governor of Penang 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. 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. From 1800 to 1805, the island was led by a lieutenant governor. In 1805, Prince of Wales Island became a residency, led by a governor. 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. 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, has been appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (king of Malaysia) after consultation with the chief minister of Penang. The governor retains only ceremonial functions, including opening and dissolving the State Assembly, conferring state awards and appointing the chief minister after elections. The chief minister is the head of the executive branch of the state government.

Superintendents of Prince of Wales Island

Lieutenant governors of Prince of Wales Island

Governors of Prince of Wales Island

Resident councillors of Prince of Wales Island

Residents and governors of the Residency of Prince of Wales Island, Singapore and Malacca (at George Town & Singapore)

Deputy residents and resident councillors, Prince of Wales Island

In 1851 the Straits Settlements, while still remaining a residency, was transferred from the authority of the governor of the Presidency of Bengal and put under direct control of the governor-general of India. The powers previously invested in the governor of Bengal were now vested in the governor of the Straits Settlements.

Colonial Office, United Kingdom

Lieutenant-governors, Penang

On 1 April 1867 the Straits Settlements were transferred from the control of the Indian government to that of the secretary of state for the colonies in London (Colonial Office).

Resident Councillors, Penang

Japanese occupation

Japanese governors of Penang

British military administration

Military governors of the Settlement of Penang

Malayan Union and Federation of Malaya

Resident commissioners of the Settlement of Penang

Independent Federation of Malaya and Malaysia

List of Yang di-Pertua of the State of Penang

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