How to use 'tentang' and 'terhadap'

Malay has its own grammatical rules. Some users of Malay often use 'terhadap' (towards) when 'tentang' (concerning) should be used.

In this post, I will deal with these two words and their correct usage.

Briefly, the kata sendi nama (preposition) 'terhadap' is used in front of 'nama konkrit' (concrete nouns) and 'tentang' is used in front of 'nama abstrak' (abstract nouns). Perhaps the following sentences will make this clear to readers.

1 Kerajaan akan mengambil tindakan keras terhadap mereka yang terlibat dalam vandalisme.
[The government will take harsh action against those involved in vandalism.]
The pronoun 'mereka' is visible and tangible.

2 Sebagai ibu bapa, kita harus mengambil berat tentang kebajikan anak-anak kita.
[As parents, we should be concerned about our children's welfare.]
The noun 'kebajikan' (welfare)' is abstract as it is invisible and intangible.

So much for today's dosage of Malay grammar.