FINAL VERSION FOR APPROVAL - Sdn Bhd - WWF Malaysia

Gunung Stong State Park Preliminary Management Plan
Machang 54,400 58,040 71,584 79,032
Tanah Merah 86,800 61,996 94,611 103,487
Jeli 132,900 23,352 32,720 36,512
Gua Musang 810,400 18,578 63,816 76,655
Total 1,492,200 859,270 1,181,316 1,313,014
Source: UPEN Kelantan (2001).
The population densities (per sq. km) as in 2000, in descending order are: Kota Bharu (994);
Tumpat (802); Bacok (421); Pasir Mas (286); Pasir Puteh (245); Macang (145); Tanah Merah
(119); Kuala Krai (42); Jeli (28); and Gua Musang (10).
It is interesting to note that the districts with the higher populations are those in the north, that
lie within the Sg. Kelantan delta, while those districts in the south (Gua Musang, Jeli, Kuala
Krai), accounting for 78% of the total land area, accounts for only 17% of her population.
The reason is historical: the coastal plains are more accessible by sea and, through links with
neighboring kingdoms, gave rise of entrepot centers that attract settlers; whereas the interior,
being forested, were less accessible for trade and settlement.
However, improvements in rail and road communications are reducing this lopsidedness: the
population in Gua Musang increased by 240% between 1980 and 1991 and by 20% between
1991 and 2000, compared to just 33% for Kota Bharu between 1980 and 1991, and 11%
between 1991 and 2000. It is fair to come to the logical conclusion that population growth in
Gua Musang is also due to in-migration from other parts of Kelantan, and not due to birth
rates alone.
1.5.3 Local Economy
Services (government, banking, transportation, etc.) account for a major contributor to the
GDP, followed by agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and mining (see Table 1.4). The
per capita GDP increased from RM 3,695.09 in 1999 to RM 4,028.14 in 2000. The Mid-Term
Review of the Eighth Malaysia Plan estimated that 12.4% of the Kelantan population were
below the poverty line of RM529 (for the peninsula in 2002), the second highest poverty rate
in the peninsula (EPU, 2003).
Table 1.4: Gross Domestic Product by Sectors
Sector
Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock
and Fishing
GDP (RM million)
1999 % 2000 %
835.50 22.7 828.00 15.66
Mining 47.40 0.98 47.00 0.89
Manufacturing 672.60 13.86 746.00 14.10
Construction 136.60 2.82 105.00 1.99
Services 3,159.60 65.00 3,563.00 67.37
GDP 4,851.70 5,289.00
Per Capita GDP (RM) 3,695.09 4,028.14
Source: UPEN Kelantan (2001).
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