Penang State Executive Council

Penang State Executive Council
2023–present
Date formed	13 August 2023
People and organisations
Head of state	Ramli Ngah Talib
Head of government	Chow Kon Yeow (PH–DAP)
Total no. of members	11
Member parties	Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition government Pakatan Harapan (PH) Democratic Action Party (DAP) People's Justice Party (PKR) Barisan Nasional (BN) United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
Status in legislature	Coalition government 29 / 40
Opposition parties	Perikatan Nasional (PN) Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU)
Opposition leader	Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff (PN–PAS)
History
Legislature term	15th Penang State Legislative Assembly

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. ^[1]

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. ^[1]

Structure of government

Appointment of the executive

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. ^[1] 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.

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. ^[1]

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, [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. ^[1]

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, [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. ^[1]

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. ^[1] 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.

Lists of full members

Chow Kon Yeow II EXCO (2023–present)

PH (10)	BN (1)
DAP (8)   PKR (2)	UMNO (1)

Members since 13 August 2023 have been : ^{[2] [3]}

Name	Portfolio	Party		Constituency	Term start	Term end
Chow Kon Yeow MP (Chief Minister)	Finance Economic Development Land Communications		PH (DAP)	Padang Kota	13 August 2023	Incumbent
Mohamad Abdul Hamid (Deputy Chief Minister I)	Islamic Development Education Higher Education Community Unity		PH (PKR)	Batu Maung	16 August 2023	Incumbent
Jagdeep Singh Deo (Deputy Chief Minister II)	Human Capital Development Science and Technology		PH (DAP)	Datok Keramat	16 August 2023	Incumbent
Wong Hon Wai	Tourism Creative Economy			Paya Terubong	16 August 2023	Incumbent
Zairil Khir Johari	Infrastructure Transport Digital Development			Tanjong Bunga	16 August 2023	Incumbent
Lim Siew Khim	Social Development Welfare Non-Islamic Religious Affairs			Sungai Pinang	16 August 2023	Incumbent
Daniel Gooi Zi Sen	Youth Sports Health			Padang Lalang	16 August 2023	Incumbent
Jason H'ng Mooi Lye	Local Government Town & Country Planning			Jawi	16 August 2023	Incumbent
Sundarajoo Somu	Housing Environment			Perai	16 August 2023	Incumbent
Fahmi Zainol	Agrotechnology & Food Security Cooperative Development		PH (PKR)	Pantai Jerejak	16 August 2023	Incumbent
Rashidi Zinol	Trade and Entrepreneurial Development Rural Development		BN (UMNO)	Sungai Acheh	16 August 2023	Incumbent

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
Haji Zulkifli Long	State Secretary	[4]
Wan Nor Sakina	State Legal Adviser	[5]
Zabidah Safar	State Financial Officer	[6]

Former membership

Chow Kon Yeow I EXCO (2018–2023)

PH (11)

DAP (8)   PKR (3)

Members from 14 May 2018 to 13 August 2023 were : ^{[7] [8] [9] [10]}

Name	Portfolio	Party		Constituency	Term start	Term end
Chow Kon Yeow MP (Chief Minister)	Land Affairs Land Development Transport (2018–2020) Information (2018–2020) Communications (2020–2023)		DAP	Padang Kota	14 May 2018	13 August 2023
Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman (Deputy Chief Minister I)	Islamic Affairs Industry Development Cooperatives (2020–2023) Community Relations (2018–2020) Community Empowerment (2020–2023)		PKR	Pinang Tunggal	16 May 2018	13 August 2023
Ramasamy Palanisamy (Deputy Chief Minister II)	State Economic Planning Education Human Capital Development (2018–2020) Human Resources (2020–2023) Science, Technology and Innovation		DAP	Perai	16 May 2018	13 August 2023
Jagdeep Singh Deo	Local Government Housing Urban and Rural Planning			Datok Keramat	16 May 2018	13 August 2023
Zairil Khir Johari	Public Works (2018–2020) Utilities (2018–2020) Flood Mitigation (2018–2020) Infrastructure (2020–2023) Transport (2020–2023)			Tanjong Bunga	16 May 2018	13 August 2023
Abdul Halim Hussain	Domestic and International Trade Consumer Affairs Entrepreneurship Development		PKR	Batu Maung	16 May 2018	13 August 2023
Dr. Afif Bahardin	Health Agriculture & Agro-based Industries (2018–2020) Agrotech and Food Security (2020–2023) Rural Development			Seberang Jaya	16 May 2018	4 March 2020
Norlela Ariffin				Penanti	12 March 2020	13 August 2023
Phee Boon Poh	Welfare Environment		DAP	Sungai Puyu	16 May 2018	13 August 2023
Chong Eng	Women, Family, Gender Inclusiveness (2018–2020) Community development (2018–2020) Social Development (2020–2023) Non-Islamic Religious Affairs (2020–2023)			Padang Lalang	16 May 2018	13 August 2023
Yeoh Soon Hin	Tourism Development Heritage (2018–2020) Culture & Arts (2018–2020) Creative Economy (2020–2023)			Paya Terubong	16 May 2018	13 August 2023
Soon Lip Chee	Youth Sports			Bagan Jermal	16 May 2018	13 August 2023

Lim Guan Eng II EXCO (2013–2018)

  DAP (8)   PKR (3)

Members from 2013 to 2018 were : ^[11]

Name	Portfolio	Party		Constituency	Term start	Term end
Lim Guan Eng (Chief Minister)	Land Affairs and Land Development Information Heritage & Non-Islamic Religious Affairs		DAP	Air Putih	9 May 2013	2018
Mohd Rashid Hasnon (Deputy Chief Minister I)	Industrial Development International Trade Cooperatives and Community Relations Entrepreneur Development		PKR	Pantai Jerejak	9 May 2013	2018
Ramasamy Palanisamy (Deputy Chief Minister II)	State Economic Planning Education Human Resources Science, Technology and Innovation		DAP	Perai	9 May 2013	2018
Chow Kon Yeow	Local Government Traffic Management Flood Mitigation		DAP	Padang Kota	9 May 2013	2018
Lim Hock Seng	Public Works Utilities (Energy, Water and Telecom) Transport (Air, Sea and Train)		DAP	Bagan Jermal	9 May 2013	2018
Law Heng Kiang	Tourism Development Culture		DAP	Batu Lancang	9 May 2013	2018
Phee Boon Poh	Welfare Caring Society Environment		DAP	Sungai Puyu	9 May 2013	2018
Jagdeep Singh Deo	Town Rural Planning Housing		DAP	Datok Keramat	9 May 2013	2018
Chong Eng	Youth and Sports Women, Family Community Development Arts		DAP	Padang Lalang	9 May 2013	2018
Abdul Malik Abul Kassim	Religious Affairs Domestic Trade Consumer Affairs		PKR	Batu Maung	9 May 2013	2018
Dr. Afif Bahardin	Agriculture & Agro-Based Industry Rural Development Health		PKR	Seberang Jaya	9 May 2013	2018

Lim Guan Eng I EXCO (2008–2013)

  DAP (8)   PKR (3)

Members from 2008 to 2013 were : ^[12]

Name	Portfolio	Party		Constituency	Term start	Term end
Lim Guan Eng (Chief Minister)	Industrial Development International Trade Land Affairs Land Development		DAP	Air Putih	13 March 2008	8 May 2013
Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin (Deputy Chief Minister I)	Religious Affairs Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Information Community Relations		PKR	Penanti	13 March 2008	2009
Mansor Othman (Deputy Chief Minister I)			PKR	Penanti	2009	8 May 2013
Ramasamy Palanisamy (Deputy Chief Minister II)	State Economic Planning Education Human Resources Science, Technology and Innovation.		DAP	Perai	13 March 2008	8 May 2013
Chow Kon Yeow	Local Government Traffic Management Environment		DAP	Padang Kota	13 March 2008	8 May 2013
Lim Hock Seng	Public Works Utilities (Energy, Water and Telecom) Transport (Air, Sea and Train)		DAP	Bagan Jermal	13 March 2008	8 May 2013
Law Heng Kiang	Tourism Development Culture Arts Heritage		DAP	Batu Lancang	13 March 2008	8 May 2013
Phee Boon Poh	Health Welfare Caring Society		DAP	Sungai Puyu	13 March 2008	8 May 2013
Wong Hon Wai	Housing Urban Rural Planning		DAP	Air Itam	13 March 2008	8 May 2013
Ong Kok Fooi	Youth and Sports Women, Family and Community Development		DAP	Berapit	13 March 2008	8 May 2013
Abdul Malik Abul Kassim	Domestic Trade Consumer Affairs		PKR	Batu Maung	13 March 2008	8 May 2013
Law Choo Kiang	Agriculture Agro-based Industries Rural Development Flood Mitigation		PKR	Bukit Tambun	13 March 2008	8 May 2013

Koh Tsu Koon IV EXCO (2004–2008)

BN (11)

Gerakan (4)   UMNO (4)   MCA (2)   MIC (1)

Members from 2004 to 2008 were :

Name	Portfolio	Party		Constituency	Term start	Term end
Koh Tsu Koon (Chief Minister)	Industrial Development International Trade Town and Country Planning		Gerakan	Tanjong Bunga	2004	2008
Abdul Rashid Abdullah (Deputy Chief Minister)	Religious Affairs Land Affairs and Land Development Entrepreneurial Development and Cooperatives		UMNO	Sungai Bakap	2004	2008
Teng Hock Nan	Local Government Traffic Management Information Community Relations		Gerakan	Pulau Tikus	2004	2008
Toh Kin Woon	State Economic Planning Education Human Resources Science, Technology and Innovation		Gerakan	Machang Bubok	2004	2008
Teng Chang Yeow	Tourism Development Environment		Gerakan	Padang Kota	2004	2008
Azhar Ibrahim	Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Rural Development Flood Mitigation		UMNO	Penaga	2004	2008
Jahara Hamid	Youth and Sports Women, Family and Community Development		UMNO	Telok Ayer Tawar	2004	2008
Syed Amerruddin Syed Ahmad	Housing Culture, Arts and Heritage		UMNO	Bayan Lepas	2004	2008
Koay Kar Huah	Public Works Utilities (Energy, Water, Telecom) Transportation (Air, Sea and Rail)		MCA	Seri Delima	2004	2008
Lau Chiek Tuan	Domestic Trade Consumer Affairs		MCA	Berapit	2004	2008
Subbaiyah Palaniappan	Health Welfare Caring Society		MIC	Bagan Dalam	2004	2008

Koh Tsu Koon III EXCO (1999–2004)

BN (11)

Gerakan (4)   UMNO (4)   MCA (2)   MIC (1)

Members from 1999 to 2004 were : ^{[13] [14]}

Name	Portfolio	Party		Constituency	Term start	Term end
Koh Tsu Koon (Chief Minister)			Gerakan	Tanjong Bunga	1999	2004
Hilmi Yahaya (Deputy Chief Minister)	Religion Land Affairs Planning and Coordination of Development Programmes		UMNO	Telok Bahang	1999	2004
Kee Phaik Cheen	Tourism, Culture, Arts Women Development		Gerakan	Batu Uban	1999	2004
Toh Kin Woon	Economic Planning Education Human Development		Gerakan	Machang Bubok	1999	2004
Teng Hock Nan	Local Government Environment Traffic Management		Gerakan	Kebun Bunga	1999	2004
Abdul Rashid Abdullah	Housing Entrepreneur Cooperative Development		UMNO	Sungai Acheh	1999	2004
Azhar Ibrahim	Agriculture Fisheries Rural Development		UMNO	Penaga	1999	2004
Jahara Hamid	Youth and Sports Information National Unity		UMNO	Telok Ayer Tawar	1999	2004
Koay Kar Huah	Works Public Amenities Transport		MCA	Bukit Gelugor	1999	2004
Loh Hock Hun	Trade Commerce Consumer Affairs		MCA	Paya Terubong	1999	2004
Rajapathy Kuppusamy	Health Welfare Caring Society		MIC	Perai	1999	2004

Koh Tsu Koon II EXCO (1995–1999)

BN (11)

Gerakan (1)   UMNO (1)

Members from 1995 to 1999 were :

Name	Portfolio	Party		Constituency	Term start	Term end
Koh Tsu Koon (Chief Minister)			Gerakan	Tanjong Bunga	1995	1999
Mohd Shariff Omar (Deputy Chief Minister)			UMNO	Permatang Berangan	1995	1999

Koh Tsu Koon I EXCO (1990–1995)

BN (9)

Gerakan (4)   UMNO (5)

Members from 1990 to 1995 were : ^[15]

Name	Portfolio	Party		Constituency	Term start	Term end
Koh Tsu Koon (Chief Minister)			Gerakan	Tanjong Bunga	1990	1995
Ibrahim Saad (Deputy Chief Minister)	Land Development Industrial Planning		UMNO	Seberang Jaya	1990	1995
Goh Cheng Teik	Local Government New Villages Development		Gerakan	Sungai Bakap	1990	1995
Zakaria Bakar	Housing Environment		UMNO	Ara Rendang	1990	1995
Kee Phaik Cheen	Tourism Youth Sports Welfare		Gerakan	Batu Uban	1990	1995
Yahaya Abdul Hamid	Agriculture Rural Development		UMNO	Pinang Tunggal	1990	1995
Kang Chin Seng	Science Technology Human Resources Development		Gerakan	Sungai Pinang	1990	1995
Ibrahim Yaakob	Religious Affairs Education Culture Health		UMNO	Sungai Acheh	1990	1995
Hilmi Yahaya	Infrastructure Public Utilities		UMNO	Telok Bahang	1990	1995

See also

• Penang state government
• Governor of Penang
• Chief Minister of Penang
• Penang State Legislative Assembly

References

1. "Constitution of the State of Penang" (PDF). Penang State Legislative Assembly.
2. "State polls: Chow sworn in as Penang CM for second term". The Star. 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
3. KOSMO! (16 August 2023). "Senarai barisan Exco Pulau Pinang". www.kosmo.com.my.
4. ":: iDirektori : Ketua Jabatan". idirektori.penang.gov.my. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
5. "Ketua Menteri terima kunjungan hormat Penasihat Undang-Undang Negeri baharu". Buletin Mutiara (in Malay). 2 Jan 2025. Retrieved 3 Jan 2025.
6. ":: iDirektori : Ketua Jabatan". idirektori.penang.gov.my. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
7. "Civil engineer Zaki made Penang deputy CM 1". Free Malaysia Today. 2018-05-16. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
8. Mohamed Basyir (16 May 2018). "Ten Penang Exco members sworn in by Governor [NSTTV]". New Straits Times.
9. Audrey Dermawan (9 March 2020). "PKR's Norlela Ariffin replaces Penang exco Afif Bahardin". New Straits Times.
10. "Penang reshuffles exco portfolios at mid-term". www.buletinmutiara.com. 9 September 2020.
11. "Penang 'exco 2.0' sworn in, newcomer Rashid and Ramasamy made DCMs". theedgemalaysia.com.
12. "Guan Eng umum barisan exco negeri". www.malaysiakini.com. 13 March 2008.
13. Three new faces in Koh's Exco. New Straits Times. 16 December 1999.
14. Penang gets going almost immediately. New Straits Times. 17 December 1999.
15. New State Exco Reflects Continuity, Says Koh. New Straits Times. 27 October 1990.

External links

• Penang State Government