menafikan

Menafikan is a verb used in Indonesian and Malay meaning to deny, repudiate, or negate a statement, claim, or fact. It denotes asserting that something is not true or that a claimed situation did not occur, and it can imply withdrawing support or opposition to a reported assertion.

The usage of menafikan is common in both everyday language and formal contexts. It appears in discussions of allegations, rights, or reports that someone wishes to refute, such as menafikan tuduhan, menafikan hak, or menafikan klaim yang beredar. In formal writing, including legal, governmental, and media contexts, it signals a clear rejection of a stated claim by an individual or organization.

Linguistically, menafikan is the transitive form formed with the prefix me- to the root related to negation. The noun form penafian refers to the act of denial or repudiation. Related verbs include membantah and menyangkal, which convey similar notions of disputing, though with varying nuances.

Examples:

- Pemerintah menafikan tuduhan korupsi terhadap pejabat itu.

- Perusahaan menafikan rumor kebangkrutan.

- Pihak terdakwa meralat atau menafikan tuduhan tersebut dalam laporan hukum.

In usage, menafikan is often contrasted with mengakui (to admit) and membenarkan (to affirm), and it is distinct from simply not commenting, which can imply avoidance rather than explicit denial.