Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Pemimpin kelompok kami meminta saran singkat sebelum presentasi. - Our group leader asks for brief suggestions before the presentation.

Pemimpin = the head noun “leader.”
kelompok kami = “our group,” a noun phrase that modifies pemimpin.
So it means “the leader of our group.” No yang is needed here.
You can also say pemimpin dari kelompok kami, but the version without dari is more natural.

Why is it kami and not kita?

kami = “we/us” excluding the listener.
kita = “we/us” including the listener.
Use kami if the person you’re talking to is not part of the group; use kita if they are.

Can I use ketua or pimpinan instead of pemimpin?

pemimpin = leader (the person), general and common.
ketua = chair/head (common for committees, student groups): ketua kelompok kami is very natural.
pimpinan = leadership/management or the office of the leader; as a person it’s possible, but less natural here.

Does meminta need untuk to mean “ask for,” like “ask for advice”?

No. Say meminta saran (verb + direct object).
Use untuk only when followed by a verb clause: meminta [dia] untuk memberi saran.

What’s the difference between minta and meminta?

How do I show who the advice is requested from?

Safest: meminta saran dari [orang] (ask for advice from [person]).
Also common: meminta saran kepada [orang] (many speakers use this, esp. formal).
Very natural: meminta [orang] (untuk) memberi saran / meminta saran pada [orang].
Colloquial: minta saran ke [orang].

Can I use bertanya or menanyakan instead of meminta here?

For advice, use meminta saran.
bertanya = to ask (a question), e.g., bertanya tentang presentasi.
menanyakan takes the thing asked about as the object: menanyakan jadwal, not “menanyakan saran” (that sounds odd).

Is saran countable? How do I say “a suggestion” or “some suggestions”?

saran can be mass (“advice”) or countable.
“A suggestion”: satu saran (or sebuah saran, more written).
“Some suggestions”: beberapa saran; plural by reduplication: saran-saran.
Synonyms: usulan (proposal), pendapat (opinion), masukan (input/feedback).

Why is it saran singkat, not singkat saran?

Adjectives typically follow nouns in Indonesian: [noun] + [adjective].
Alternatives: saran yang singkat, saran yang sangat singkat for emphasis.

What’s the nuance of singkat vs ringkas, cepat, and sebentar?

Is sebelum presentasi enough, or should I say sebelum memulai presentasi?

How do I specify “before our presentation” or “before the presentation (specific)”?

How would I phrase this politely as a request?

Neutral polite: Bisakah kami minta saran singkat?
Formal/written: Mohon saran singkatnya.
With imperative helper: Tolong berikan saran singkat.
To a specific person: Kami minta (kepada) Bapak/Ibu untuk memberi saran singkat.

How do I say “Our group leader was asked for advice”?

Why are there no words for “a/the” in the sentence?

Indonesian has no articles. Definiteness is inferred from context.
To make it definite, add itu; to make it specific/possessed, add a possessor: presentasi kami.
Classifiers like sebuah can mark a single item (e.g., sebuah saran in writing), but they aren’t obligatory.

Is kelompok the same as grup or tim?

kelompok = group (general, standard).
grup = group (informal/loan, very common).
tim = team (implies working unit, sports/project).
All three can work depending on context: pemimpin tim kami, ketua grup kami, etc.