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| If you don't know how to do it, don't do it. |
While the former looks a valid Malay word with correct affixes with the letter 'p' from 'pasang', meaning install, was substituted with the letter 'm' as a result of the prefix [pe+....+an] (correct according to the prefixing rule), the latter looks like an incorrect spelling of the former. Or is it really?
No, it's not an invalid or incorrect word. Although both carry the same meaning, the big difference is the former refers to the actual work of the installation (it's a noun that refers to the verb) and the latter refers to the finished work or what has been installed (it's a noun that refers to the noun). To make it clear to you here are two examples that look similar but different:
English 1: The electrical wiring installation for the living room took almost two weeks to complete.
English 2: The electrical wiring installation for the living room constitutes half of the total cost.
Compare the two sentences, and adjust yourself as if you are a Malay speaker, you will find that in example 1, the installation actually refers to the actual work thus the verb part of it, while example 2, refers to the noun part of it which is actually the wires, lights, switches and what have ya that has been installed and in place. So, the most appropriate translation that I may present you is as follows:
Malay 1: Pemasangan pendawaian elektrik untuk ruang tamu mengambil masa hampir-hampir dua minggu untuk disiapkan.
Malay 2: Pepasangan pendawaian elektrik untuk ruang tamu memakan separuh daripada kos keseluruhannya.
Now, can you see the difference? I hope you can. Because if you still can't, let me take you to the times when you were still in school where every year there would normally be two 'peperiksaan' (examinations) were held every year until you sat for the big one, the SPM. Normally, 'pemeriksaan kertas jawapan' (the marking of the papers) will be done over three months after you last sat for it. Clear?
One reminder though, and this is a very serious one, mistakes especially and unintentionally done if you are not really well versed in Malay: although the coronation of a new king or queen is also called the installation of the new king/queen, one should not translate it as 'Pemasangan DYMM Yang Dipertuan Agong', or you will be sent directly to 'pemasungan'. Here is how you would look like getting 'dipasungkan'.
The right word should be 'Pertabalan'.
These days though, those who have a leaning towards sado-masochism even love to be 'dipasungkan'. Add whips and chains. Hmmmm...
