Rakyat

Rakyat is a Malay and Indonesian noun meaning "the people" or "the public." In everyday usage it refers to the general populace or citizenry, as distinguished from rulers or elites. The term is widely used in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, and within Malay-speaking communities around the world.

Etymology and usage notes: The word is native to Malay and Indonesian and carries a collective, civic sense. It sits alongside related terms such as penduduk (inhabitants) or warga (citizens), though those words have distinct nuances and connotations. Rakyat often conveys a political or social dimension, emphasizing the people as a body that can be governed or mobilized.

Political and social usage: In political discourse, rakyat is used to frame policy and governance as serving the public interest. Common expressions include hak rakyat (the people's rights) and kepentingan rakyat (the people's interests). The term has appeared in nationalist and populist rhetoric and has played a role in historical movements advocating independence and democracy, where leaders pledged to act for the rakyat. In contemporary contexts, it can appear in party names, slogans, and media commentary without prescribing a specific ideology.

See also: Indonesian language; Malay language; rakyat jelata; penduduk; warga negara.