Bachok

The Bachok District (Jawi: باچوك ) is one of the administrative districts or jajahan in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. Situated east and about 25 km from Kota Bharu. At present the population is predominantly Malays, with Chinese and Siamese make up as minorities. The main economy is agriculture apart from fishing, business and working in government and private sectors. Bachok Town is the centre of administration, business and transportation of the district. Other smaller towns are shown in the map below are famous for their wet markets and fair price groceries for the local folk.

Bachok Town or Bandar Bachok, recently declared as The Islamic Tourism Town or Bandar Pelancongan Islam by the incumbent mentri besar of Kelantan, Tuan Guru Hj. Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat effective 7 December 2010 equivalent to 1 Muharram 1432 H.

There are several versions of the origin of the name of Bachok.

According to one version, Bachok was named after a person called Tok Bachok, who was believed to be the first settler in the area. Traders from China anchored in Pengkalan Cina in Bachok long time ago to trade silk and spices.

The more popular version of the origin of Bachok's name, according to local inhabitants, originated from two Siamese words, Ban and Chak. Ban means village and Chak means nipa (a native mangrove plant). The local Siamese called and still call this place Ban Chak, originally referring to the more populated and possibly a much earlier settlement immediately to the south of Bachok town, the actual Kampung Nipah today. The 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.

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.

Kenaf (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 (NTB) , 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.

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