Tuduhan

Tuduhan is a noun in Malay and Indonesian that refers to the act or statement of accusing someone of wrongdoing or fault. It can denote an assertion that a person has committed an offense, whether in everyday conversation, media reports, or formal legal proceedings. The term stems from the verb tuduh (to accuse), with the suffix -an forming the noun.

In legal language, tuduhan may be contrasted with dakwaan, which more specifically denotes a formal indictment or charge brought by prosecutors. Tuduhan can be broader, including allegations stated by witnesses, commentators, or the public, not all of which become formal charges. The word appears in various constructions: dituduh (the accused or the person being accused), menuduh (to accuse), and tuduhan palsu (false accusation). The phrase tuduhan is common in journalism and political discourse, where allegations require careful verification to avoid defamation.

Ethical and legal considerations emphasize the presumption of innocence and the risk of harm from unverified tuduhan. In many jurisdictions, false or unfounded accusations can lead to legal remedies such as defamation actions, as well as reputational damage to individuals and institutions. The term also interacts with related concepts such as fitnah (slander or false accusation) and the broader norms surrounding responsible speech.

See also: defamation, accusation, allegation, dituduh, tuduh, tuduhan palsu.