The practice of development planning does not empower the local authority to prepare a development
plan, as planning and development control is under the jurisdiction of the State Planning Authority
(SPA). Rapid growth in the housing sector shows a positive indicator towards urbanization in Sarawak.
This study showed that the current centralised process is fair to all parties, for it ensures equilibrium in
all areas. Beside that, the study also found that there is some confusion in the roles played by the
involved parties. The study also identified few problems that often occur, among them complicated
procedures, slow approval process, bureaucracy, and risks in planning and marketing. However, the
practice of development planning is concerned with aspects quality and quantity so as not to burden the
purchaser. The state government, through the SPA, controls the price of housing to ensure equilibrium
and to avoid the occurrence of abandoned housing projects.
The local government or also known as the local authority is the last tier and most important unit in the government’s administrative structure in Malaysia after the federal and state governments. Local government is fully responsible for the delivery of services as well as the provision of basic facilities to the local people within its administrative area that has been designated by the state government. The existence of local government acted as a facilitator to the federal government and the state government because the roles and responsibilities held by the local government are very large and essential to the nation’s development. This study discussed students’ understanding of local government where the average between people and students is particularly confused about the concepts that are often used in the local government as well as local government-related jurisdictions. With the creation of these Pocket Dictionary on local Government, Glossary of local government terms and QR Code Mode for Local Government Terms Word Index, it help students and the local people to better understand the local government in Malaysia by knowing the concepts related.
The local government is the closest government to the local community and identified as the third level
of government after the state and federal governments. Each local government has their own power to
enact by-laws under their respective administration. By-laws is a formulation of the law under the
jurisdiction of local government in performing its duties and functions covering the administrative area
that has been identified by the state government. Some of the by-laws play a part in shaping the
personality of the community, especially in local government areas which are quite different approach
such as Kota Bharu Municipal Council of Islamic Cities (MPKB-BRI). By-laws implemented by
MPKB-BRI are very different compared to other states in Malaysia which is the provisions of the bylaws
that suggests the aurat closure and appropriate clothing among traders, business premises owners
and local communities. The purpose of this study is to review the extent of the by-laws implemented by
MPKB-BRI to influence and shaping the personality of the local community in Kota Bharu district,
Kelantan.