Gabungan

Gabungan is a term used in Malay and Indonesian to denote a union, combination, or merger. It can describe either the act of joining two or more elements or the result of that joining. The word is formed from the verb gabung, meaning to join, with the suffix -an, producing a noun that denotes a union or ensemble. It is used across contexts in both languages, with similar meanings: a political gabungan refers to a coalition of parties or groups; a corporate gabungan can denote a joint venture or merger of companies; more generally, it can be any association or alliance formed by cooperation.

In politics, gabungan commonly appears in the names of coalitions or alliances, and in discussions about coalition governments or broad alliances. In Malaysia, the term features in several coalition names, such as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), a Sarawak-based political coalition formed by parties in 2018. In Indonesia and other Malay-speaking areas, the term is widely used in media to describe party coalitions or allied groups.

In business and societal contexts, gabungan can refer to joint ventures or partnerships between organizations, as well as broader collaborative groupings. The term is generally neutral and descriptive, lacking any inherent political stance or organizational form. Related terms include gabung (to join) and the concept of merger or alliance in a broader sense.