 In 1923 it was annexed into the neighbouring Besut District until 1935, when it was made a separate district.That same year Setiu district was partitioned between Besut district and the state capital Kuala Terengganu.Setiu district with its present-day borders was reorganised in 1985, merging Mukim Merang, Mukim
Hulu Nerus and Mukim Belara (portion) from Kuala Terengganu (now Kuala Nerus) and Mukim Caluk, Mukim Guntung, Mukim
Pantai Tasik and Mukim Hulu Setiu from Besut.