| Ethnic Group | 1996 | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Malays | 1,254,173 | 93.8% |
| Chinese | 61,505 | 4.60% |
| Indians | 9,360 | 0.70% |
| Others | 12,034 | 0.90% |
| Total | 1,337,072 | 100% |
| Jajahan | Tahun 1997 | Tahun 1998 | Tahun 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachok | 116,547 | 122,040 | 125,100 |
| Kota Bharu | 434,537 | 455,599 | 467,500 |
| Machang | 83,648 | 87,132 | 89,300 |
| Pasir Mas | 176,090 | 183,901 | 188,600 |
| Pasir Puteh | 111,857 | 116,255 | 119,200 |
| Tanah Merah | 114,486 | 120,932 | 124,000 |
| Tumpat | 137,560 | 144,228 | 147,900 |
| Gua Musang | 87,907 | 97,659 | 100,100 |
| Kuala Krai | 109,314 | 115,176 | 118,100 |
| Jeli | 39,132 | 41,154 | 42,200 |
| Jumlah | 1,411,078 | 1,484,076 | 1,522,000 |
The Malays form the majority and they are all Muslims.To enable them to attend the Friday prayers weekend in Kelantan is on Friday.
The Kelantanese Malays are very hard working and they are noted for their skill and digilence.The women folk are good in business.If you visit any market in Kelantan, you will be surprised that most of the traders there are women!
Respect and obedience towards parents and elders,neighbourliness and community self-help(gotong-royong) are all part of Malay customs and traditions.Ceremonial occasions are always associated with feasts(kenduri) and recital of Arabic prayers(doa)
All Muslim festivals like Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji are celebrated on a grand scale in Kelantan.
The Chinese are mostly concentrated in and around Kota Bharu and Gua Musang.The village of Pulai near Gua Musang is remarkable as one of the oldest centers of Chinese settlement in Kelantan and Malaysia!The majority of Chinese are Buddhists and there are many Buddhist temples in Kelantan especially in the district of Tumpat.The most notable one is the Wat Phothivihan at Kampung Jambu.This temple houses the second longest Reclining Buddha in the world!
There is also an Indian temple in Tumpat,Kelantan.