Functional Change in Small Town: Experience of Tanjong Malim, Perak

Some small towns in developing country are neglecting their basic function, namely in agriculturally functional base. This is due to the replacement of industrial and service sectors as the main economic generator to the small towns. The shift of functional base has led it as an indicator towards the role of modernization of the small towns. This scenario is well evident in Tanjung Malim. Tanjung Malim is located out of Lembah Klang-Langat region and off from Ipoh Metropolitan influences. Current development has slowly changed the original function of Tanjung Malim. This article aims to discuss the changing function of Tanjung Malim to be the main growth centre in Southern Perak. Secondary and primary data were obtained through field observations to capture the changing function of Tanjung Malim. The finding exhibits seven indicators that appear to be evidence to the changing function of Tanjung Malim. They are, low-functional in agricultural related activity, salient features of Tanjung Malims functional hierarchy , the increasing of high-order functions and others. The functional development such as modern function in Tanjung Malim is an early indicator to the overall spatial transformation in Tanjung Malim. The finding reveals that Tanjung Malim is ready to perform as a new planned growth center for the Southern Region of Perak.