kekangan

Kekangan is a Malay term that translates roughly as constraint, limitation, or impediment. It refers to any factor that curtails actions, plans, or outcomes. The word derives from the Malay verb kekang, meaning to restrain, with kekangan denoting the constraint itself.

In usage, kekangan can be economic, regulatory, social, or physical. Economic kekangan include budgetary limits, cash-flow shortages, or scarce resources that hinder projects or operations. Regulatory kekangan refer to laws, permits, or approval processes that slow activities. Social kekangan involve cultural norms, societal expectations, or gender roles that restrict participation or decision-making. Physical kekangan encompass infrastructure gaps, geographic distance, or environmental constraints.

Impact of kekangan appears in planning, policy design, and development results. They can cause delays, reduce efficiency, lower investments, and reinforce disparities if not addressed. Recognizing kekangan helps inform prioritization, risk assessment, and the design of interventions intended to relax or remove impediments.

Mitigation of kekangan often involves a combination of policy reforms, targeted funding, capacity-building, and improvements in infrastructure or service delivery. Streamlining regulatory processes, enhancing governance, and investing in human capital are common approaches to reduce the effect of kekangan on outcomes.

See also: constraint, limitation, barrier.