The role of the local "penghulus" changed considerably when they were appointed no longer by the Sultan but by the British Resident. Colonial land policy introduced individual landholding, thereby making land a commodity, and the "penghulu" were then involved in matters relating to this property. The Perak State Council was established in 1875 to assist the British Resident in most administrative matters. It also brought together the Malay chiefs and Chinese leaders ("Kapitan Cina") to deal with certain administrative issues relating to Perak's growing Malay and Chinese populations. The State Council also helped provide education and training to assist Malays in qualifying for government positions. When the post of the FMS Resident was abolished, other European-held administrative posts were gradually occupied by local appointees. As in the rest of Malaysia, local government comes under the purview of state government.