Local government in Sabah

The local government in Sabah is the lowest level of government in Malaysia. It is third in the Malaysian government system, after the federal and state governments. Local governments have the power to collect property taxes, create local laws and rules, and give out licenses and permits for different kinds of trade in their area.

However, local governments also have a duty to provide important services. They must regulate things like rubbish collection and waste disposal, and they are responsible for planning in urban and regional areas.

The way district and municipal governments work in Sabah is based on a law called the Local Government Ordinance from 1961. This law also guides the responsibilities and tasks of community groups. A special state ministry, called the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, was created after the 1963 state elections. This ministry oversees the work of district and municipal authorities in Sabah.

Foundation of local administration

Sabah is divided into areas called administrative districts. These districts include towns and specific regions and are managed by different groups, such as City Halls, Municipal Councils, or District Councils. This system is based on rules set in 1961, which give leaders the power to organize and name these districts.

Division to districts

Sabah is split into five main areas: Interior Division, Kudat Division, Sandakan Division, Tawau Division, and West Coast Division. Each of these areas is made up of districts, and each district has a district officer in charge. There is also an assistant district officer who helps with the work. The main office for each district is called the District Office (Pejabat Daerah). Often, districts are named after their biggest town or the place where the office is located. For example, the town of Sandakan gives its name to the Sandakan district.

Some districts can be split into smaller parts called sub-districts (daerah kecil), which means "small district". These sub-districts are not separate levels of government. Instead, they help the district office with some of its tasks in certain areas. Being a sub-district is an important step toward becoming a full district. Until 2011, Sabah had 11 sub-districts.

Status of administrative districts

Sabah has three types of administrative districts. The smallest local authority is a district run by a district council. To improve its status, a district must meet certain rules.

For example, Kota Kinabalu had to show several things to become a city hall, like having ongoing city growth, places for business and tourism, good roads and transport, schools and libraries, and being known nationally and internationally.

Others

Unlike other states in Malaysia, Sabah does not use a special administrative level called mukim. In Sabah, mukim groups together different settlements and villages, but they are managed by the district offices.

Unlike in Germany, the leaders of City Halls, Municipal Councils, and District Councils in Sabah are chosen by the Minister of Local Government and Housing instead of being elected by the people. Local laws and rules in Sabah also need approval from the Minister of State to be effective.