Bachok District (Jawi: باچوق ) is an administrative division (or
jajahan
Districts ( Malay: '' Daerah''; '' Jajahan'' in Kelantan) are a type of administrative division below the state level in Malaysia. An administrative district is administered by a lands and district office (''pejabat daerah dan tanah'') which ...
) of
Kelantan
Kelantan (; Jawi: ; Kelantanese Malay: ''Klate'') is a state in Malaysia. The capital is Kota Bharu and royal seat is Kubang Kerian. The honorific name of the state is ''Darul Naim'' (Jawi: ; "The Blissful Abode").
Kelantan is located in the ...
,
Malaysia
Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
. It is located approximately 25 km east of
Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu, colloquially referred to as KB, is a town in Malaysia that serves as the state capital and royal seat of Kelantan. It is situated in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia and lies near the mouth of the Kelantan River.
The t ...
.
The population is predominantly Malay, with Chinese and Siamese minorities. Bachok Town is the center of administration, business, and transportation of the district. The economy is mostly supported by agriculture, with significant fishing activity as well.
Bachok Town or Bandar Bachok was recently declared an Islamic Tourism Town or Bandar Pelancongan Islam by the incumbent
Menteri Besar of Kelantan
The Menteri Besar of Kelantan or Chief Minister of Kelantan is the head of government in the Malaysian state of Kelantan. According to convention, the Menteri Besar is the leader of the majority party or largest coalition party of the Kelantan St ...
, Tuan Guru Hj. Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat effective 7 December 2010.
Name origin
The origin of the name "Bachok" has several versions.
One version claims Bachok was named after a person named ''Tok Bachok'', who people believed to be the first settler in the area. Traders from China traveled to Pengkalan Cina of Bachok to trade silk and spices.
The popular version of the name's origin, according to local inhabitants, originates from two
Siamese words, ''Ban'' and ''Chak'': ''Ban'' means ''village'' and ''Chak'' means ''
nipa'' (a native mangrove plant). The local Siamese call the place ''Ban Chak'', referring to the more populated and possibly earlier settlement immediately to the south of Bachok Town, the actual Kampung Nipah today. Bachok Town was possibly part of the larger Kampung Nipah then. The pronunciation of Ban Chak was later invariably changed to Bachok to suit the local Malay accent.
Administrative divisions
![Map of Bachok District, Kelantan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Map_of_Bachok_District%2C_Kelantan.svg)
In exercise of the powers conferred by subsection 4 (3) of the Local Government Act 1976, the State Authority in consultation with the Minister of Housing and Local Government and the Secretary of the Election Commission hereby after the boundaries of Bachok District Council as the areas specified in the Schedule.
Demographics
Federal Parliament and State Assembly Seats
List of Bachok district representatives in the Federal Parliament (
Dewan Rakyat
The Dewan Rakyat (English: 'House of Representatives'; ) is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament, the federal legislature of Malaysia. The chamber and its powers are established by Article 44 of the Constitution of Malaysia. The Dewan Ra ...
)
List of Bachok district representatives in the
State Legislative Assembly.
Economy
Kenaf Plantation
Kenaf
Kenaf tymology: Persian ''Hibiscus cannabinus'', is a plant in the family Malvaceae also called Deccan hemp and Java jute. ''Hibiscus cannabinus'' is in the genus ''Hibiscus'' and is native to Africa, though its exact origin is unknown. The name ...
(Hibiscus cannabinus) is a tropical plant of the mallow family that yields a fibre resembling jute that can be used for the production of cordage and textiles. Kenaf can be harvested after 120 days and its planting cycle is three seasons annually.
According to National Tobacco Board, the pioneer batch of Kenaf-growing farmers in Kelantan have proven that the crop is a good alternative to tobacco that has become less competitive in the plantation industry. It is expected to export 50,000 tonnes of Kenaf annually, valued at RM15 billion. This would make Kenaf the country's major commodity by the year 2010, he said, adding that the Republic of Korea is expected to be the first importing country for Malaysias Kenaf, at 50,000 tonnes a year.
The Kenaf-planting project, that is capable of producing 15,000 tonnes of Kenaf per hectare, provides the tobacco farmers an alternative source of income when the AFTA is enforced. Under the projects initial phase, some 1,000 hectares of land would be planted with Kenaf including 700 hectares in Kelantan. Two Kenaf-processing mills were constructed at Air Tawar in Pasir Puteh and Beris Lalang (Bachok).The mill which is equipped with RM600,000 worth of machinery is able to process 10 tonnes of Kenaf during eight hours of operations daily. The processed Kenaf is exported to Germany and Korea.
Places of interest
Pantai Irama ( The Beach of Melody)
This beach is facing the South China Sea with wide and long sandy beach. Pantai Irama (Beach of Melody) is popular among the locals and visitors and hence, during the weekends (Friday and Saturday), the beach will be packed with family and children. It is also a common place to hold concerts and events. It is situated along the main road of Bachok, Kota Bahru.
Pantai Kemayang
This beach is facing the South China Sea and is only 14 kilometres from
Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu, colloquially referred to as KB, is a town in Malaysia that serves as the state capital and royal seat of Kelantan. It is situated in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia and lies near the mouth of the Kelantan River.
The t ...
. It is connected by a good road network and has public toilets, a
surau
A surau is an Islamic assembly building in some regions of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula used for worship and religious instruction. Generally smaller physical structures, its ritual functions are similar to a mosque, allow men and women, an ...
and various eateries. Most of its visitors are families but singles come here as well.
Bukit Marak
Bukit Marak (literally Shining Hill) is a village in Bachok, Kelantan, Malaysia, located about 24 kilometres (15 mi) south of the state capital Kota Bharu. It was the childhood home of Puteri Saadong, and thus has significance in the history of the Sultanate of Kelantan.
The village derives its name from a local hill, one of the last hillocks in the district. The hill has some attractions for tourists, and draws thousands of visitors every weekend both for hiking and for sightseeing. Among these are a pool in which
Puteri Saadong
Puteri Saadong or ''Mariam'' (died after 1667), was the queen regnant of Kelantan in 1667–1671. She was the adopted daughter of Siti Wan Kembang (Che Siti), the legendary Queen of Kelantan. Her full title is Tuan Puteri Saadong binti Raja Loyor, ...
was believed to have bathed, and three granite rocks at the peak of the hill resembling Puteri Saadong's favourite musical instrument. However, the hill is being negatively affected by excavation of soil for use in land reclamation; local villagers are said to be selling soil from the hill at RM40 for one lorry-load. Aside from the damage to the historical site, this also may introduce the danger of mudslides and landslides during the monsoon season. The state government has offered to purchase the hill from its owners in accordance with the National Heritage Act 2005, in order to prevent further damage.
Kandis Resource Centre
Founded by the late Rashiddin Nik Nik Hussein and formally established in 2000. KRC many treasures of art-oriented Malay carving art langkasuka tombstone grave, rehal, pulpit, wall decor, architecture mosques and palaces of the east coast of Malaysia and Patani, Thailand is unique with its own motives.
Kampung Balai
Kampung Balai is a village in Bachok located approximately 20 kilometers southeast of Kota Bharu. While ‘’Balai’’ means ‘’hall’’ in Malay, there is no known historical correlation between the village and ‘’hall’’. However, according to local inhabitants, “Balai” is derived from ‘’Ban Malai” or ‘’flower village’’ in Thai language. It is believed that the low-lying area where the rice field was, now planted with tobacco, was once a shallow lake filled with flowering lotus.
The Thais of this village are believed to be originated from central Thailand more than 200 years ago when Kelantan was a tributary of the Kingdom of Siam. Their spoken Thai language is distinctly different from other Thais in Kelantan who generally speak the southern “Tak Bai” Thai language.
The village was most probably opened by these Thais or the Chinese.
The Chinese, mostly from Fujian, China came to the village probably at the same time with the Thais to develop the village. Some of the Chinese are of eighth or ninth generation descendants. Virtually all of them have lost contact with their ancestral roots in China.
Demographics
The lingua franca among the villagers is mainly Thai although all the Chinese and most of the Thais could also speak, to some degree of competency, Kelantan Hokkien (Min Nan). All of them are fluent Malay speakers and some, especially the younger generation, could converse in Mandarin as well. They are predominantly Buddhists. The Chinese also observe traditional Chinese practices.
There are three Buddhist temples in the village, i.e. Wat Phathumviharn, Wat Phithikyan Phutthaktham and a Kuan Yin temple located at seaside facing the South China Sea.
Wat Phithikyan Phutthaktham
It is better known simply as Wat Balai or Dragon Temple to the locals, on account of the pair of dragons flanking the entrance.
Wat Phothikyan Phutthaktham began as a modest temple some twenty years ago. It became more active when a Thai came over and started various activities, including initiating a building fund for the temple. As a result, it underwent massive expansion in recent years, including the construction of a 100-foot tall statue of a standing Buddha. Other sights at Wat Phothikyan Phutthaktham include the wishing three, where devotees threw their wishes onto its branches, and the seated Buddha image behind a seven-headed naga.
The small towns of
Beris Kubor Besar (kg Pak Pura),
Perupok
Perupok is a small town in Bachok District, Kelantan, Malaysia
Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and t ...
,
Jelawat
Jelawat is a suburb in Bachok district, Kelantan, Malaysia
Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federal constitutional monarchy consists of thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea ...
and
Wakaf Zin
A waqf ( ar, وَقْف; ), also known as hubous () or ''mortmain'' property is an inalienable charitable endowment under Islamic law. It typically involves donating a building, plot of land or other assets for Muslim religious or charitable ...
have wet markets and competitive grocery prices.
Education
Tertiary Education
*
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK; en, University of Malaysia, Kelantan) is a public university in Kelantan, Malaysia. The formation of the university was mooted during the tabling of the Ninth Malaysia Plan and approved by the cabinet of Ma ...
* Islamic College of Science & Technology (Malay: Kolej Islam, Sains dan Teknologi (KIST))
* Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences ('IOES') Bachok Marine Research Station - is established in 2012. Built on a land area of 3 hectares, the station fronts the open sea (South China Sea) and is partially bounded by the narrow Rekang River. It is also an hour away from Perhentian Island, which is ideal for coral reef studies
* Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara Daerah Bachok
* Pusat Giatmara Daerah Bachok
* Pejabat Pelajaran Daerah Bachok
Pondok Institutions
* Pusat Pengajian Pondok Kg Telong, Kandis
* Madrasah Islahiyah, Pondok Kuin Pasir
Secondary Education
* Sek. Men. Keb. Bachok
* Sek. Men. Keb. Badak
* Sek. Men. Keb. Beris Panchor
* Sek. Men. Keb. Dato' Perdana
* Sek. Men. Keb. Jelawat
* Sek. Men. Keb. Kandis
* Sek. Men. Keb. Kubang Telaga
* Sek. Men. Keb. Long Yunus
* Sek. Men. Keb. Pak Badol
* Sek. Men. Keb. Putri Saadong
* Sek. Men. Keb. Sri Gunong
* Sek. Men. Keb. Sri Nipah
* Sek. Men. Keb. Teknik Bachok
* Sek. Men . Keb. Kubang golok
Secondary Religious School
* Sek. Men. Keb. Agama Tok Bachok
* Maahad Amir Indra Petra
* Sek. Men. Ugama Yaakubiah
* Sek. Men. Ugama Muhammadiah
* Sek. Men. Ugama Al Hidayah Islamiah
* Sek. Men. Ugama Beris Lalang
Primary Education
* Sek. Keb Seri Kemudi
* Sek. Keb Tangok
* Sek. Keb Alor Bakat
* Sek. Keb Bachok
* Sek. Keb Badak
* Sek. Keb Bakong
* Sek. Keb Bekelam
* Sek. Keb Beris Kubur Besar
* Sek. Keb Lalang
* Sek. Keb Beris Panchor
* Sek. Keb Bukit Marak
* Sek. Keb Chantum
* Sek. Keb Gunong
* Sek. Keb Jelawat
* Sek. Keb Kampong Chap
* Sek. Keb Kandis
* Sek. Keb Keting
* Sek. Keb Kolam]
* Sek. Keb Kubang Telaga
* Sek. Keb Kucelong
* Sek. Keb Pak Badol
* Sek. Keb Pa' Pura
* Sek. Keb Pantai Senak
* Sek. Keb Pauh Sembilan
* Sek. Keb Pengkalan Chengal
* Sek. Keb Perupok
* Sek. Keb Seneng
* Sek. Keb Sri Kemunting
* Sek. Keb Sungai Dua
* Sek. Keb Tanjong Jenera
* Sek. Keb Tawang
* Sek. Keb Telaga Ara
* Sek. Keb Pa'Pura
Climate
Bachok has a
tropical rainforest climate
A tropical rainforest climate, humid tropical climate or equatorial climate is a tropical climate sub-type usually found within 10 to 15 degrees latitude of the equator. There are some other areas at higher latitudes, such as the coast of southea ...
(Af) with moderate rainfall from February to May and heavy to very heavy rainfall in the remaining months.
Notable people
;Actors
*
Osman Kering
;Government & Politics
*
Annuar Musa
Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Annuar bin Musa ( Jawi: أنور بن موسى; born 18 May 1956) is a Malaysian politician who served as the Minister of Communications and Multimedia in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former ...
*
Mustapa Mohamed
Dato' Sri Mustapa bin Mohamed ( Jawi: مصطفى بن محمد; born 25 September 1950), commonly known as ''Tok Pa'' among local Kelantanese, is a Malaysian politician who served as the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Econ ...
*
Datuk Dr. Awang Adek Hussin
; Writers
*
Lim Swee Tin
References
{{Local governments in Malaysia