Perbandaran

Perbandaran is a term used in Malay-speaking contexts to denote an urban local government area governed by a municipal council. It typically refers to a town, city, or metropolitan area that has its own local authority responsible for delivering municipal services and governance. In Malaysia, a perbandaran is an administrative division led by a Majlis Perbandaran (municipal council). It operates within a state and is distinct from other local-government units such as a Majlis Daerah (district council) and a Majlis Bandaraya (city council), which are used for different scales of urban areas.

Etymology: The word combines per- (a prefix meaning “pertaining to”) with bandar (city or town), with the suffix -an forming a noun that denotes a type of jurisdiction.

Administration: A perbandaran is typically headed by a president or chair and governed by a municipal council. The council is responsible for enacting by-laws, planning and development, licensing, and overseeing services such as waste management, public health, local roads, and other municipal functions. The exact structure and powers are defined by national and state legislation and can vary between jurisdictions.

Scope and examples: Municipalities vary in size and population. In Malaysia, examples include Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya and Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai. The criteria for attaining perbandaran status, as well as the scope of authority, differ by state and governing laws, reflecting local administrative traditions and needs.

See also: Local government in Malaysia; Municipal council; City council; Subnational administration.