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PAD320: Local Government

Week 1 Sharifah Syahirah Bt Syed Sheikh sharifahsyahirah@gmail.com

Chapter 1
The Basic Concepts In Local Government Administration

Introduction
L.G is last tier after the state and the federal government. To look into the needs of the local area and its people.

With local laws and statutes.

Definitions
1. Local government: government of a town or any given area specified by the law having its own representatives. Its is decentralized system of government involving local participation (refer page 2- 4). 2. Local authority: (refer to page 5). - infra-sovereign - authority to draft the by-laws. - by-laws has to be approved by the state government before it can be enforced by local authority. (refer to page 6 3 main categories)

The basic characteristics of local government


1.
2.

Local affairs: as assigned by the state or the federal government.


Subordinate to superior government: policies must be aligned with the state & federal policies.

3.
4. 5.

Autonomous to the state government: administrative, financial & policy. (pg. 8)


Elected or nominated representative: 1971, elected. But, currently nominated & appointed. Separate legal entity: recognized each local authority as legal entity & has its own common seal.

Objectives of local government


1. National unity: multi-racial & rural-urban representations. 2. Democracy: grass-root democracy. 3. Freedom: limited but has autonomy. 4. Efficiency of the administration: must synchronize with the needs of physical planning.

5. Social and economic development: depends on the size & efficiency of the local government.

The basic concepts in the administration of local government


1. Decentralization, devolution & deconcentration (pg. 12-13).
2. Sovereign & Infra-sovereign. 3. Doctrine of ultra-vires: implementation through law 4. General competence: implementation through financial

Functions of local authorities


1. Obligatory functions 2. Discretionary functions 3. Overall functions.

Determining the size & boundary of local authority


4 factors determine the size & boundaries;
1. The social community

2. Participation
3. Catchments area: the area and population from which a facility or region attracts visitors or customers. 4. Financial & personnel capacity Declared through gazette.

Answer questions: 1. Q1 Q11 page 19 2. Q1-Q5 page 23

Chapter 2
History of local government in Malaysia

Introduction
The Pre-British Period (pg. 26). The British Colonialism Period (pg. 28). The Post-independence Period (pg. 30).

The restructuring of local government


Too many local governments. i.e more than 374 LG. Royal Commission of Equiry July. 1965: Led by YB Senator Dato Athi Nahappan & 8 members.

Submitted through Minister of Local Government & Housing: 30th January 1969.

Answer questions: 1. Q1-Q4 page 36 2. Q1-Q4 page 37

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