mengawal

Mengawal is a verb in Malay and Indonesian meaning to guard, to control, to regulate, or to supervise. It can refer to guarding people or property physically, as well as to managing or restraining processes, activities, or conditions to maintain order or safety. The term is common in security, governance, business, and public administration contexts.

Etymology and forms: The word derives from the root kawal meaning guard, with the prefix meng- that marks a transitive verb in Malay and Indonesian. Related forms include kawalan (control or guard), pengawalan (regulation or guarding), and mengawasi (to supervise). The distinction between mengawal and mengawasi lies in nuance: mengawal emphasizes control or restraint, while mengawasi emphasizes ongoing oversight.

Usage notes: Examples include mengawal akses masuk (to control entry), mengawal pergerakan (to monitor movement), mengawal inflasi (to curb inflation), and mengawal kos operasional (to control operating costs). In everyday language, the sense can be physical guarding or regulatory control, depending on context.

See also: kawalan, pengawalan, kawal selia (regulation), pengawasan (supervision).