Kumuh

Kumuh is a term in the Indonesian and Malay languages used as an adjective to describe dirty, shabby, or degraded conditions. In everyday speech it can refer to untidy places, while in urban planning and policy contexts it commonly denotes informal settlements or slums. The related noun phrase pemukiman kumuh refers specifically to a slum settlement, and lingkungan kumuh describes a dirty or degraded environment.

Usage and implications: The term is widely used in discussions of housing, sanitation, and city development in Indonesia and Malaysia. Because kumuh carries stigma about residents or neighborhoods, many planners advocate neutral terminology such as informal settlements or low-income housing, and emphasize upgrading, regularization, and access to services rather than labeling communities as kumuh.

Examples: Indonesian government and NGOs address pemukiman kumuh through upgrading projects, infrastructure improvements, and community-based programs. The scope and conditions of kumuh areas vary, from densely populated micro-areas to zones lacking reliable water, sewage, and waste management.

Notes: Kumuh is not typically used to describe people as a direct insult; rather, it characterizes places or conditions, though it can be perceived as pejorative. The term's acceptability depends on context and audience.