Reconstruction:Proto-Malayo-Polynesian/(i-)ni

Etymology
From.

Determiner

 * 1)  the (thing) here
 * 2)  known (thing) just mentioned
 * 3)  known (thing) about to be mentioned
 * 4)  known (thing) that the speaker does not think is known to the audience

Pronoun

 * 1)  The thing, item, etc. being indicated