Learn Hardcore Malay: Janganlah risau, sistem baru itu diuji oleh jabatan keselamatan. - Don’t worry, that new system was tested by the safety department.

The suffix -lah can add emphasis or soften the tone of an imperative, making it sound more persuasive or reassuring. In janganlah risau, it’s like saying “please don’t worry” rather than a blunt “don’t worry.”

What's the difference between jangan and janganlah?

Both mean “don’t,” but janganlah feels friendlier or more emphatic. Omitting -lah (jangan risau) is perfectly correct but more direct.

Is risau a verb or an adjective?

Risau functions like an adjective meaning “worried” (literally “be worried”). But in Malay, states of being are often expressed with these root words, so you can treat risau as describing the state of worrying.

Why is itu placed after sistem baru in sistem baru itu?

Itu is a demonstrative meaning “that” or “the” (definite marker). Malay puts demonstratives after the noun phrase: sistem baru itu = “that new system” or “the new system.”

How is the passive voice formed in Malay, as seen in diuji?

Malay passive verbs take the prefix di- on the root verb. Here, uji (“test”) becomes diuji (“was tested”). The agent, if mentioned, follows with oleh.

What does the preposition oleh indicate in diuji oleh jabatan keselamatan?

Oleh marks the agent or doer of a passive action, equivalent to English “by.” So diuji oleh jabatan keselamatan = “tested by the safety department.”

Could jabatan keselamatan be translated as “security department” instead of “safety department”?

Keselamatan can mean both “safety” and “security.” Context decides. If it’s about workplace or equipment safety, “safety department” fits. If about guarding against threats, “security department” works.

Can we rearrange the sentence into active voice?

Yes. The active form is Jabatan keselamatan telah menguji sistem baru itu.
– Jabatan keselamatan (agent)
– telah (perfect aspect “has/have”)
– menguji (active verb “tested”)
– sistem baru itu (object)