perikatan

Perikatan is a term in Malay and Indonesian that denotes a binding arrangement between parties. It is derived from ikat, meaning to bind, with the prefix per-, which marks the act, process, or result of binding. The word has broad usage across legal, political, and everyday contexts.

In general usage, perikatan refers to an agreement or commitment that creates enforceable rights and duties for those involved. In civil-law traditions found in Indonesia and Malaysia, perikatan is a technical term covering obligations arising from contracts, laws, or other binding acts. It encompasses bilateral contracts, unilateral obligations, and other forms of binding commitments.

In political discourse, perikatan is used to describe alliances or coalitions formed by multiple parties to pursue shared aims. A notable Malaysian example is Perikatan Nasional, a political coalition formed in 2020 during a period of government realignment. The term is not a proper noun by itself and can refer to any binding political arrangement, depending on context.

The word thus functions as a general linguistic term for agreements and coalitions, with specific meaning determined by its legal or political context.