Pemangku

Pemangku is a term in Indonesian and Malay that describes a person who temporarily holds a position or carries out duties on behalf of a rightful title holder. It is used in government, corporate, and community contexts to indicate an interim status during vacancy, transition, or pending formal appointment. A pemangku jabatan acts with the authority necessary to ensure continuity, but the permanent title holder remains the legally designated office holder until formal appointment or election.

In government, examples include pemangku kepala daerah (acting regional head), pemangku bupati or pemangku wali kota, and pemangku jabatan at various ministries or agencies. The term is often used in everyday language to signal an interim arrangement, but in formal regulatory contexts there are distinct terms such as penjabat or pelaksana tugas (plt), which denote officially appointed acting officials with specified statutory powers. Pemangku generally conveys a temporary or placeholder status rather than a fully sworn office, though practical authority can vary by context and regulation.

The use of pemangku reflects transitional governance and helps ensure continuity of administration, services, and decision-making during vacancies or handover periods. When a permanent appointment is made, the pemangku typically relinquishes the position and returns to their previous role or moves on.

In Malay usage, pemangku similarly denotes an acting or placeholder holder of an office, and the term appears in legal, administrative, and everyday contexts in both languages. See also: Penjabat, Pelaksana tugas, Plt.