The Penang State Executive Council is the executive branch of the Penang state government. It is headed by the chief minister, who is appointed by the governor, Penang's head of state. The council also comprises between four and ten other members of the Penang State Legislative Assembly, along with ex officio civil servants namely the state secretary, the state legal adviser and the state financial officer.
While smaller in size, the Penang State Executive Council is similar in structure and function to the Malaysian federal cabinet. Federal and state responsibilities vary, resulting in portfolios that vary between the two levels of government. The Executive Council is collectively accountable to the Penang State Legislative Assembly.
The chief minister, as Penang's head of government, must be appointed by the governor of Penang (Malay: Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang) on the basis that the former commands the confidence of a majority of the state assemblymen in the Penang State Legislative Assembly. On the advice of the chief minister, the governor shall form the Penang State Executive Council by appointing "not more than ten nor less than four other members" from among the state assemblymen.
Aside from the Executive Council, the governor shall also appoint another three executive officers, namely the state secretary, the state legal adviser and the state financial officer.
These officers retain the right to participate in the proceedings of the Executive Council and may be appointed to any of the committees in the council. However, they are not permitted to vote in the Executive Council or within any of the committees.
Before exercising the duties of the executive office, an incoming member of the Executive Council must take and subscribe the Oath of Office and Allegiance in the presence of the governor. The Oath of Office and Allegiance reads as follows.<blockquote>I, [name], having been appointed to the office of [name of office], do solemnly swear [or affirm] that I will faithfully discharge the duties of that office to the best of my ability, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the State of Penang, and that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the State of Penang.</blockquote>In addition, every incoming member of the Executive Council, plus the state secretary, the state legal adviser and the state financial officer, must also take and subscribe the Oath of Secrecy before the governor. The Oath of Secrecy is as follows.<blockquote>I, [name], do solemnly swear [or affirm] that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as a member of the Executive Council of the State of Penang except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as such or may be specially permitted by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.</blockquote>
Any member of the Penang State Executive Council, apart from the chief minister, shall hold office at the governor's pleasure, but may at any time resign from his or her position. If the chief minister ceases to command the confidence of the majority of the state assemblymen in the Penang State Legislative Assembly, the chief minister shall tender the resignation of the entire Executive Council. However, in this particular circumstance, the chief minister also reserves the option to advise the governor to dissolve the Legislative Assembly, thus paving the way for fresh state-level election. Aside from that, the Executive Council ceases to exist upon the vacancy of the Office of the chief minister, unless the vacancy arises while the Legislative Assembly is dissolved.
Members since 13 August 2023 have been :
The state secretary, the state legal adviser and the state financial officer are the ex officio members of the Executive Council.
Members from 14 May 2018 to 13 August 2023 were :
Members from 2013 to 2018 were :
Members from 2008 to 2013 were :
Members from 2004 to 2008 were :
Members from 1999 to 2004 were :
Members from 1995 to 1999 were :
Members from 1990 to 1995 were :