diff --git a/src/malay/LexiconMay.gf b/src/malay/LexiconMay.gf
index dd756aa24..96806b15f 100644
--- a/src/malay/LexiconMay.gf
+++ b/src/malay/LexiconMay.gf
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ lin father_N2 = mkN2 "bapa" ;
 
 -- lin garden_N = mkN "" ;
 -- lin girl_N = mkN "" ;
-lin give_V3 = mkV3 (mkV "beri" Meng) ;
+lin give_V3 = mkV3 (mkV "beri" Meng) emptyPrep datPrep ;
 -- lin glove_N = mkN "" ;
 lin go_V = mkV "pergi" ;
 -- lin gold_N = mkN "" ;
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ lin read_V2 = mkV2 "baca" ;
 -- lin see_V2 = mkV2 "" ;
 -- lin seed_N = mkN "" ;
 -- lin seek_V2 = mkV2 "" ;
-lin sell_V3 = mkV3 (mkV "jual" Meng) ;
+lin sell_V3 = mkV3 (mkV "jual" Meng) emptyPrep emptyPrep ; -- TODO
 -- lin send_V3 = mkV3 "" ;
 -- lin sew_V = mkV "" ;
 -- lin sharp_A = mkA "" ;
diff --git a/src/malay/ParadigmsMay.gf b/src/malay/ParadigmsMay.gf
index 0effac4f9..372e04e62 100644
--- a/src/malay/ParadigmsMay.gf
+++ b/src/malay/ParadigmsMay.gf
@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ oper
 
 
   mkN2 = overload {
-    mkN2 : Str -> N2 = \s -> lin N2 (mkNoun s ** {c2 = emptyPrep}) ;
-    mkN2 : N   -> N2 = \n -> lin N2 (n ** {c2 = emptyPrep}) ;
+    mkN2 : Str -> N2 = \s -> lin N2 (mkNoun s ** {c2 = dirPrep}) ;
+    mkN2 : N   -> N2 = \n -> lin N2 (n ** {c2 = dirPrep}) ;
    } ;
 
   -- mkPN = overload {
@@ -110,13 +110,13 @@ oper
   } ;
 
   mkV2 = overload {
-    mkV2 : Str       -> V2 = \v2  -> lin V2 (mkVerb2 (mkVerb v2 Meng) emptyPrep) ;
+    mkV2 : Str       -> V2 = \v2  -> lin V2 (mkVerb2 (mkVerb v2 Meng) dirPrep) ;
     mkV2 : V -> Prep -> V2 = \v,p -> lin V2 (mkVerb2 v p)
     } ;
 
   mkV3 = overload {
     mkV3 : V -> V3 = \v ->
-      lin V3 (mkVerb3 v emptyPrep emptyPrep) ;
+      lin V3 (mkVerb3 v dirPrep dirPrep) ;
     mkV3 : V -> (p,q : Prep) -> V3 = \v,p,q ->
       lin V3 (mkVerb3 v p q)
     } ;
diff --git a/src/malay/ResMay.gf b/src/malay/ResMay.gf
index 4bc04b692..0425f9c3a 100644
--- a/src/malay/ResMay.gf
+++ b/src/malay/ResMay.gf
@@ -111,7 +111,8 @@ oper
     isPoss = False ;
     } ;
 
-  emptyPrep : Preposition = {
+  -- direct object: "hits him" -> "memukul+nya"
+  dirPrep : Preposition = {
     s = [] ;
     obj = table {
       P1 => BIND ++ "ku" ;
@@ -120,6 +121,15 @@ oper
     isPoss = True ;
     } ;
 
+  -- truly empty
+  emptyPrep : Preposition = {
+    s = [] ;
+    obj = \\_ => [] ;
+    isPoss = True ;
+    } ;
+
+  datPrep : Preposition = mkPrep "kepada" ;
+
   applyPrep : Preposition -> NounPhrase -> Str = \prep,np ->
     case np.a of {
       IsPron p => prep.obj ! p ++ np.empty ;