iltimas

Iltimas is a Malay term meaning a polite request or appeal, typically used in formal correspondence and official documents. The word derives from Arabic iltimās (التماس), which conveys petition or solicitation. In Malay and Indonesian usage, iltimas refers to the act of seeking favorable consideration from someone in authority, rather than a casual plea.

Usage is common in government letters, legal petitions, and administrative communications, where phrases such as dengan iltimasnya or atas iltimas tuan are used to frame the request with deference. The term emphasizes respect, humility, and formality, and is less common in everyday conversation, where words like permintaan or permohonan are more usual.

In modern practice, iltimas appears in expressions like surat iltimas (a petition) or memohon iltimas (to seek a favor). It also occurs in historical documents and formal jurisprudence in Southeast Asia, reflecting bureaucratic etiquette inherited from Malay-speaking administrations.

For translation, iltimas is often rendered as petition, request, appeal, or humble request, depending on context. The concept highlights a courteous approach to seeking favorable treatment or relief from those in positions of authority.

See also: Permohonan, Rayuan, Permintaan, Surat rasmi.