The role of governor is largely ceremonial with the power vested in the executive branch of the state government led by the chief minister.

Thereafter, Penang was administered by a British resident councillor subordinate to the governor of the Straits Settlements.

[1] 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.

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.