Local Government in Malaysia - Types of Local Government

Types of Local Government

See also: List of local governments in Malaysia

The enforcement of Local Government Act 1976 established in essence only two types of local councils - one for municipality and one for rural area. However, a city status can be conferred to a municipal council by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong with the consent of the Conference of Rulers once it reached the necessary criteria. Apart from that mentioned by the Act 171, there are many other agencies established and charged with the role of a local council. These so-called modified local authorities were established under newly created, separate and special Act of Parliament or state enactments or ordinances.

There are currently four type of local governments in Malaysia:

  • City - City Hall (Majlis Bandaraya) or City Council (Dewan Bandaraya) (e.g. Kuala Lumpur City Hall, literal meaning: council of a main town)
  • Municipality - Municipal Council (Majlis Perbandaran) (e.g. Ampang Jaya Municipal Council literal meaning: council regarding a town)
  • Rural area - District Council (Majlis Daerah) (e.g. Hulu Selangor District Council, literal meaning: area council)
  • Special and modified local authority - Corporation, Development Board, Development Authority or simply Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (e.g. Putrajaya Corporation)

Currently there are a total of 151 local authorities in Malaysia and their breakdown are as follows:

  • 12 City councils
  • 39 Municipal councils
  • 98 District councils
  • 5 modified local authorities.

Prior to the 1973 restructuring exercise, there were 6 types of local governments. The total number of local councils in Malaysia then was 418. The types were:

  • City Council
  • Municipal Council
  • Town Council
  • Town Board
  • Rural District Council
  • Local Council

Read more about this topic:  Local Government In Malaysia

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