Practical training report: Machang District Council / Muhamad Fadhil Amri Ja'afar

Machang District Council was established on January 1st 1979 under the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171). It was formed through the merger of the Machang Municipal Board, and the Local Councils of Temangan and Pulai Chondong. The jurisdiction of the Machang District Council covers an area of 130 km2 from the territory's total 545 km2. Machang District Council serves as a third tier administration after the Federal and State Governments. It is responsible in all socio-economic and political aspects related to the development of the local community. The Territory of Machang got its name from a village named Kampung Machang. This village was opened in 1880 by a group of villagers from Pasir Tumboh in Kota Bharu, led by one Mr. Senik. Early in its inception, the villager’s main economic activity consisted of agriculture and commerce. Geographically, the Machang Territory lies right in the centre of Kelantan Darul Naim. Kota Bharu borders it to the north, to the south is the Territory of Kuala Krai, to the west is the Territory of Tanah Merah while the Territory of Pasir Puteh can be found in the east. Around 1949, Machang was delineated as a minor Territory. Then on January 1st 1952. Due to the rapid pace of development and its active economic sector, Machang was made a full Territory.