Community leaders is recognized as a catalyst in changing and improving the living standards of community. To ensure the effectiveness of rural community, the development participation of community leaders is necessary in particularly to development projects in rural areas. This article aims to point the influence the of community leaders as a catalyst for rural community development which affects the direction of rural community development. A survey was conducted on rural community in state of Terengganu, Malaysia consist of Kg Kayu Kelat, Kg Guntung Luar, Kg Banggol Katong and Kg Rawai. The community is chosen based on their performance in a number of development projects, and has successfully improve socio-economic status of the population. The data for this study was gathered from interview, field observation and 40 informants was involved in this study. The informants consist of local leader, local residents and government officer. The finding showed that, effective community leaders was able to play a positive roles to help their community as a catalyst for community development process. Besides that, the finding from survey show important roles of local leader as a major factor affecting the success of development program. Local leader in Kg Kayu Kelat, Kg Guntung Luar, Kg Banggol Katong and Kg Rawai have initiative and a clear vision in ensuring their future progress of improvement for their community.
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