lembaga

Lembaga is a term used in Indonesian and Malay to denote a formal organization or institution. It refers to a structured body that executes defined functions, often within a legal or regulatory framework. The concept encompasses a wide range of entities, including government agencies and state institutions, public corporations, educational and research institutes, financial institutions, and non-governmental organizations.

A lembaga typically has a clear mandate, a legal basis or charter, an internal governance structure, and established procedures for decision-making, budgeting, and accountability. Its activities may include policy implementation, service delivery, regulation, research, or training. Lembaga are intended to persist beyond the tenure of individuals and to provide continuity in public administration or social life.

In everyday usage, phrases such as lembaga negara (state institutions), lembaga pemerintah non-kementerian (non-ministerial government bodies), lembaga pendidikan (educational institutions), and lembaga keuangan (financial institutions) illustrate the broad application of the term. The word also appears in the official names of many organizations, including non-governmental and civil-society bodies with formal structures.

See also: Institution; Organization; Government agency; Non-governmental organization.