List of governors of Penang

This is the list of people who have held the highest political office in Penang and its previous entities. Penang is a state in Malaysia.

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 Yang di-Pertua Negeri (also known as Governor), has been appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia) on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Yang di-Pertua Negeri 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.

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