Ahli

Ahli is a term used in Malay and Indonesian to refer to a person who belongs to a group or who possesses skill and qualification in a given field. As a noun, it often denotes membership or affiliation; as an adjective, it can indicate proficiency or expertise. The sense of belonging is common in official or formal language, such as in social, political, or organizational contexts.

Etymology and usage. The word is derived from the Arabic root ahl, meaning “people” or “family,” and entered Malay and Indonesian through religious and administrative vocabulary. In modern usage, ahli appears in compounds that denote membership, such as ahli keluarga (family member), ahli waris (heir), ahl i dewan or ahli jawatankuasa (committee member), and ahli Parlimen (member of parliament) in Malaysia. It also appears in professional or academic phrases to signal qualification, for example ahli biologi (expert in biology) or ahli farmasi, though everyday speech more commonly uses pakar for a specialist.

Context and nuance. Ahli is a versatile term that covers both social belonging and professional standing. In institutions, it marks formal membership or representation; in technical or academic contexts, it signals recognized expertise. The exact meaning is determined by accompanying modifiers or the surrounding discourse, and the word remains gender-neutral.

See also. Related concepts include pakar (expert), anggota (member in general terms), and waris (heir). The versatility of ahli reflects its roots in denoting people and belonging across Malay-speaking regions.