Learn Hardcore Malay: Tolong hantar laporan itu secepat mungkin. - Please send that report as quickly as possible.

In this sentence, tolong functions as a polite request marker, essentially “please.” Structure: tolong + base verb (e.g., tolong hantar). On its own, Tolong! can also mean “Help!” (a cry for help), but before a verb it softens an imperative into a request.

Is this phrasing polite enough for workplace communication?

Yes—polite and common, but somewhat direct/urgent. For more formal or softer tone:

Sila hantar laporan itu secepat mungkin. (neutral-formal; often on signs/memos)
Mohon/Harap dapat menghantar laporan itu secepat mungkin. (formal, courteous)
Boleh tolong hantar laporan itu secepat mungkin? (polite question, softer)

Can I mention the addressee explicitly (e.g., “you”)?

Yes, but don’t insert a pronoun directly after tolong. Natural options:

Encik Ali, tolong hantar laporan itu secepat mungkin.
Awak/Anda boleh hantar laporan itu secepat mungkin?
Sudikah anda menghantar laporan itu secepat mungkin? (very polite) Avoid: ✗ Tolong awak hantar... (unnatural).

Why is it hantar and not menghantar?

Malay imperatives/requests typically use the base verb: (tolong) hantar. Menghantar is the meN- form used in statements or when the verb is a noun-like action (e.g., “the sending of…”). In a request, tolong hantar is most natural.

What about hantarkan—when do I add -kan?

-kan can mark a benefactive/goal focus. With recipients, both are acceptable:

Hantar laporan itu kepada saya.
Hantarkan laporan itu kepada saya. (slightly more focus on delivery to the recipient) Don’t use -kan without a clear beneficiary/goal unless it’s a set expression.

Is there any difference between hantar, antar, and kirim?

hantar: send/deliver (physically or digitally); very common in Malaysia.
antar: to take/escort/deliver in person (e.g., drive someone, drop something off).
kirim: to send (often by post/message). In Malaysia it’s understood but less common than hantar in office contexts; still fine in phrases like mengirim e-mel.

What does laporan itu imply? Why use itu?

itu marks a specific, known item—like “that/the report (we both know about).” In Malay, itu often functions as a definiteness marker after the noun: laporan itu = the particular report in question.

Could I say laporan ini instead of laporan itu?

Yes, but it changes the reference:

laporan ini = this report (near the speaker or newly introduced).
laporan itu = that/the known report (previously mentioned, or not physically near). Choose based on context.

How does secepat mungkin work, and what’s the pattern?

It’s the pattern se- + adjective + mungkin = “as ADJ as possible.”

secepat mungkin (as fast as possible)
seawal mungkin (as early as possible)
sebaik mungkin (as well as possible) Variant with yang (e.g., secepat yang mungkin) is also acceptable, slightly more formal.

Is secepat mungkin the same as segera?

Similar urgency, different nuance:

secepat mungkin = as quickly as is feasible (acknowledges practical limits).
segera / dengan segera = immediately/at once (more urgent, directive). Office formula you might see: dengan kadar segera (very urgent/formal).

Can I move secepat mungkin elsewhere in the sentence?

Natural placements:

Default: Tolong hantar laporan itu secepat mungkin.
Fronted for emphasis: Secepat mungkin, tolong hantar laporan itu. Avoid splitting verb and object in neutral style (e.g., ✗ Tolong hantar secepat mungkin laporan itu) unless for emphasis in speech; keeping laporan itu next to hantar is safest.

How do I say “Please don’t send the report (yet)”?

Use jangan for prohibitions:

Tolong jangan hantar laporan itu. Add timing if needed:
Tolong jangan hantar laporan itu dulu. (don’t send it yet)
Tolong jangan hantar laporan itu sehingga saya sahkan. (until I confirm)

How do I specify the recipient or channel (to me, by email, etc.)?

To a person: kepada — Tolong hantar laporan itu kepada saya/bos.
To a place/address: ke — Tolong hantar laporan itu ke alamat ini.
By email: melalui e-mel or ke e-mel/alamat e-mel saya — Tolong hantar laporan itu melalui e-mel.

Is punctuation like an exclamation mark appropriate?

In emails/messages, a period is standard: Tolong hantar laporan itu secepat mungkin. Adding ! can feel pushy/urgent. You can soften with ya or terima kasih:

Tolong hantar laporan itu secepat mungkin, ya.
Tolong hantar laporan itu secepat mungkin. Terima kasih.

What’s a softer, question-style version?

Boleh tolong hantar laporan itu secepat mungkin?
Boleh awak/anda hantar laporan itu secepat mungkin? These read as polite requests rather than direct imperatives.