Penang State Executive Council
The Penang State Executive Council is the executive authority of the state government of Penang, a Malaysian state. Led by the Chief Minister, the head of government who is appointed by Penang's head of state, the Governor, the Executive Council also comprises between four and ten other State Assemblymen from the Penang State Legislative Assembly, as well as the State Secretary, the State Legal Adviser and the State Financial Officer.
While being smaller in size, the Penang State Executive Council is analogous in structure and role to the Malaysian federal Cabinet. As federal and state responsibilities differ, there are a number of portfolios that differ between the federal and state governments. The Executive Council is collectively responsible to the Penang State Legislative Assembly.
Structure of government
Appointment of the Executive
The Chief Minister, as Penang's head of government, must be appointed by the Governor of Penang 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.
- The State Secretary serves as the principal officer who handles the administrative affairs of the State.
- The State Legal Adviser shall provide advice on legal matters upon request from either the Governor or the state government.
- The State Financial Officer is in charge of the financial affairs of the State.
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.
I, , having been appointed to the office of , do solemnly swear 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.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.
I, , do solemnly swear 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.
Vacation of office
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.Current Executive Council members
Following the 2018 State Election, the composition of the Penang State Executive Council is as follows.| Name | Position | Portfolio | Constituency | Party |
| Chow Kon Yeow | Chief Minister | Land affairs and development | Padang Kota | DAP |
| Chow Kon Yeow | Chief Minister | Transportation | Padang Kota | DAP |
| Chow Kon Yeow | Chief Minister | Information | Padang Kota | DAP |
| Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman | Deputy Chief Minister I | Industrial development | Pinang Tunggal | PKR |
| Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman | Deputy Chief Minister I | Islamic affairs | Pinang Tunggal | PKR |
| Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman | Deputy Chief Minister I | Community relations | Pinang Tunggal | PKR |
| Ramasamy Palanisamy | Deputy Chief Minister II | Economic planning | Perai | DAP |
| Ramasamy Palanisamy | Deputy Chief Minister II | Education | Perai | DAP |
| Ramasamy Palanisamy | Deputy Chief Minister II | Human resources | Perai | DAP |
| Ramasamy Palanisamy | Deputy Chief Minister II | Science, technology and innovation | Perai | DAP |
| Jagdeep Singh Deo | Executive Councillor | Local government | Datok Keramat | DAP |
| Jagdeep Singh Deo | Executive Councillor | Housing | Datok Keramat | DAP |
| Jagdeep Singh Deo | Executive Councillor | Urban and rural planning | Datok Keramat | DAP |
| Zairil Khir Johari | Executive Councillor | Flood mitigation | Tanjong Bunga | DAP |
| Zairil Khir Johari | Executive Councillor | Public works | Tanjong Bunga | DAP |
| Zairil Khir Johari | Executive Councillor | Utilities | Tanjong Bunga | DAP |
| Abdul Halim Hussain | Executive Councillor | Domestic and international trade | Batu Maung | PKR |
| Abdul Halim Hussain | Executive Councillor | Consumer affairs | Batu Maung | PKR |
| Abdul Halim Hussain | Executive Councillor | Entrepreneurial development | Batu Maung | PKR |
| Norlela Ariffin | Executive Councillor | Health | Penanti | PKR |
| Norlela Ariffin | Executive Councillor | Agriculture and agro-based industries | Penanti | PKR |
| Norlela Ariffin | Executive Councillor | Rural Development | Penanti | PKR |
| Phee Boon Poh | Executive Councillor | Welfare | Sungai Puyu | DAP |
| Phee Boon Poh | Executive Councillor | Caring society | Sungai Puyu | DAP |
| Phee Boon Poh | Executive Councillor | Environment | Sungai Puyu | DAP |
| Chong Eng | Executive Councillor | Women and family development | Padang Lalang | DAP |
| Chong Eng | Executive Councillor | Gender inclusiveness | Padang Lalang | DAP |
| Chong Eng | Executive Councillor | Non-Islamic religious affairs | Padang Lalang | DAP |
| Yeoh Soon Hin | Executive Councillor | Tourism development and heritage | Paya Terubong | DAP |
| Yeoh Soon Hin | Executive Councillor | Arts and culture | Paya Terubong | DAP |
| Soon Lip Chee | Executive Councillor | Youth | Bagan Jermal | DAP |
| Soon Lip Chee | Executive Councillor | Sports | Bagan Jermal | DAP |
Ex officio members
The State Secretary, the State Legal Adviser and the State Financial Officer are the ex officio members of the Executive Council.| Name | Position | Note |
| Farizan Darus | State Secretary | |
| Anas Ahmad Zakie | State Legal Adviser | |
| Sarul Bahiyah Haji Abu | State Financial Officer |