mukim

A mukim is an administrative division used in Brunei and Malaysia. It is a subdivision of a district (daerah) and typically comprises several villages (kampung). The boundaries are used for planning, census, and local administration rather than as a separate level of government with extensive powers.

In Malaysia, mukims are the middle tier between districts and kampung. Each mukim is headed by a penghulu, appointed by the state government, who oversees local administration, civil registration, and development planning. Village heads (ketua kampung) in the mukim report to the penghulu and assist with local governance. The mukim office coordinates public services, land administration, and small-scale development within the mukim, under the broader authority of the district and state.

In Brunei, mukims are similarly subdivisions of districts, containing several kampung and led by a penghulu. The penghulu is responsible for coordinating community administration, census activities, and local development efforts within the mukim.

The mukim system reflects traditional Malay administrative practice and has evolved through colonial and post-independence reforms. Although the exact roles and powers of a mukim can differ by state or country, the concept remains a common method of organizing rural and semi-urban areas within larger districts.