House Commission X Supports Increased Budget for National Library to Expand Literacy

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chair of the House of Representatives’ Commission X, Hetifah Sjaifudian, has supported a proposed additional budget of Rp357.77 billion for the National Library (Perpusnas) in 2027 to expand public literacy access. Hetifah stated on Wednesday that the commission approved the 2027 Work Plan and Budget (RKA) and Government Work Plan (RKP) for Perpusnas. She backed the additional budget proposal, noting that the current indicative ceiling of Rp367.73 billion falls far short of the institution’s actual needs of Rp725.5 billion.

“Perpusnas holds a strategic role in strengthening literacy culture, broadening access to knowledge, and improving the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. Therefore, adequate budgetary support is essential so that various priority programmes can run optimally,” Hetifah said.

According to Hetifah, the additional budget must be directed towards providing tangible benefits for the public, particularly through improving library services, strengthening reading culture, expanding access to learning resources, and developing literacy programmes that reach all levels of society. She stressed the importance of prioritising regions with limited access to library services, including frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged (3T) areas, schools that still lack adequate literacy facilities, and village libraries that serve as the frontline in building a reading culture at the community level.

On that occasion, Hetifah also highlighted the importance of preserving ancient manuscripts and national collections as part of the effort to safeguard the nation’s collective memory and Indonesia’s cultural heritage. “The National Library functions not only as a literacy service centre but also as the guardian of the nation’s intellectual heritage. Therefore, the preservation function must continue to be strengthened alongside efforts to modernise library services,” she said.

She added that the success of national literacy development requires close collaboration between Perpusnas, relevant ministries, local governments, the education sector, and literacy communities. Such synergy is necessary to ensure that every state-funded programme has a broader and more sustainable impact. “Literacy development is a long-term investment in Indonesia’s future,” she concluded.