Article Search By : Mrs. Nurul Ezani Abdul Malek, Bahagian Audit Dalam

Source : https://www.bharian.com.my/rencana/komentar/2025/11/1474150/fahami-tatakelola-asas-kejayaan-tadbir-urus-sesebuah-organisasi

 

 

Recently, we find that the word 'tatakelola' is often found, mentioned and heard. This word is equivalent to the English word, governance. However, the pronunciation of the word must be accompanied by understanding and meaning.

Without meaning, the word just becomes a kind of babbling or delirium. Even a parrot, if taught surah al-Fatihah, can recite it completely but does not bring any meaning to the bird itself.

Abu Nasr al-Farabi, a figure of language and philosophy, once proposed a thought through his work, Ihso al-'Uluum dan Al-Alfaaz al-Musta'malah fi al-Mantiq which states that language is a display of meaning in the mind.

Referring to al-Farabi's thought, it is also quite interesting to try to find the 'illah' (reason) for the word governance to be chosen to display what is in the mind of the original speaker.

The word governance if seen in its meaning according to the mind of the English speaker Merriam-Webster, is the act or process of governing, especially the quality or state of being ruled. It refers to the way or system in which something is controlled or managed.

The Cambridge Dictionary states that it is the way in which companies, countries, etc. are run and the level of effectiveness of their management. This dictionary also emphasizes the aspect of good governance, involving principles such as transparency, accountability and efficient management.

The Oxford English Dictionary provides a broader explanation by stating that governance is the act or way of ruling, a pattern of government, a system of administration or control. It encompasses the system, including social, legal, bureaucratic and behavioral components, by which government entities are directed, managed and controlled. More narrowly, it is the way in which a political system is governed.

From the point of view of the origin of the word, the word governance has undergone an evolution in usage and meaning. This word comes from the Greek word 'kybernan' (to steer) or 'kybernetes' (ship helmsman). It was later taken from Latin as 'gubernare'. This word became 'gouvernance' in French, before finally becoming governance in English in the late 14th century.

Over time, the word governance changed from 'control' to 'how to control'. Epistemologically, knowledge about governance began with the analogy of steering or controlling a ship. This shows that the initial and original concept of governance was about skill, guidance and control over a system, just like a helmsman steers a ship at sea.

It is also important to mention the epistemological difference between governance and government. In short, it can be explained as follows: Government usually refers to the formal institutions of the state (who rules), while governance refers to a broader process, including non-governmental parties and informal mechanisms in decision-making (how something is governed).

What about the word 'tatakelola'? The word 'tatakelola' is similar to the word 'tatakelola' in Indonesian. It is the chosen equivalent for the English word, governance.

The Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) states that 'tatakelola' is a series of processes and structures that ensure that an entity is managed well, directed and in accordance with established principles. The basic concept in this expression is adherence to a good system effectively.

Code of conduct referred to governance

If you look at the Prime Dictionary of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, the word 'tatakelola' is stated as a new word in the Malay language, meaning as a separate term. The definition of 'tatakelola' is referred to the definition of the word 'tadbir urus'.

Tadbir urus has been placed as a match to describe the concept of governance for Malay speakers for a long time. Subsequently, the word governance was introduced, later replaced by the word tatakelola.

The word 'tadbir urus' is a combination of two words, namely 'tadbir' and 'urus'. These two concepts are intertwined to describe the concept of governance for Malay speakers. The Fourth Edition of the Dewan Dictionary states 'tadbir' as the work of managing and controlling the course of a company (a body, a country, etc.). 'Urus' means:

• to maintain: to take good care of so that it is safe, orderly, etc.;
• to operate: to run something such as a business, company, etc.

The combination of these two meanings forms the term 'governance' which is defined as a way or system of administering, managing, regulating and so on the policies, functions or operations of a corporation, company or organization. In the context of the word 'tatakelola' in Malaysia, it is briefly explained as follows:

• The word 'tata' is a prefix meaning rules, methods, arrangements, or systems.
• The word 'kelola' is the root word for the verb 'mengelola', which means to manage, maintain or operate something (such as a company, office and others) so that it runs perfectly. It also means to plan and control the course of something.

Therefore, the word 'tatakelola' is used to express the style of government or administration or also called the term governance. This writing is not intended for the purpose of high-level academic discussion, but rather as a review of the origin of the word 'tatakelola' exists and is used. The word is to represent what is in the mind or intellect.

What is in the mind will shape a person's outlook on life. This outlook on life will shape attitudes. Attitudes will become actions and behaviors.

In conclusion, when tracing the origin of this word, it is very clear the meaning contained in the selection of all these words in agreement to explain and emphasize that the agenda of strengthening governance is actually a demand of daily life at every level.

Having a complete system, compliance with the system by maintaining the principles of governance such as transparency, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency to achieve the set goals, that is the concept of 'governance' that must be in the mind of every member of the organization, community and country.

Date of Input: 27/11/2025 | Updated: 27/11/2025 | muhammad.isam