Ejen

Ejen is a Malay-language noun meaning agent, representative, broker, or middleman. It is widely used in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei to refer to a person who acts on behalf of another person or organization, or who represents a company’s interests in a particular domain. In Indonesian, the cognate term is agen; ejen is less common there but is understood in certain contexts and appears in some older or formal Malay-influenced usage.

Etymology and form: Ejen is a loanword from English agent, adapted to Malay phonology. It is listed in Malay dictionaries such as Kamus Dewan. The spelling ejen contrasts with the Indonesian form agen, which is more prevalent in Indonesia.

Common usage: Ejen occurs in many compound terms, including ejen hartanah (real estate agent), ejen pelancongan (travel agent), and ejen pemasaran (sales or marketing agent). As a generic term, it denotes someone who has authority to negotiate or transact on behalf of another, or a representative of a company, agency, or service. The exact status of an ejen—licensed, contracted, or unofficial—depends on local law and the terms of the appointment.

See also: agen; agensi; perunding.