Local public goods and citizen satisfaction: A case study of Kubang Pasu District, Kedah, Malaysia

Local governments play a crucial role in facilitating the economic activities and developments of a region. As instrument of national development,they are seen to be more responsive to local environments and are capable of directly influent the regional and urban development.As stated in the vision and mission statements of local governments in Malaysia, the welfare of the local society is made as a prime target. Local population sees the role of the local governments as their front liner in delivering local public goods.However, the question that ensues is to what extent this role has been executed efficiently and effectively and to what extent local citizens are satisfied with the provision of public goods.Although government professionals are uniquely qualified to assess service quality, citizen perspectives or what citizens want from local government with respect to the provision of local public goods, is imperative in optimizing the service quality and delivery.Thus, the objective of this study is to explore the relationship between the provision of local public goods and the extent of citizen satisfaction with local public goods provided by local governments in Malaysia. Kubang Pasu district in the state of Kedah, Malaysia was chosen as a case study. The primary data are gathered using a survey instrument.The results of the study give indication on the performance of service delivery by local governments in Kedah. The main findings give new information regarding the level of citizen satisfaction in term of the structure of local public finance