Language Agency and BI Sultra Strengthen Literacy through the Role of Language Ambassadors
Kendari (ANTARA) - The Language Development and Cultivation Agency of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) and Bank Indonesia (BI) Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra) are strengthening literacy enhancement through the role of Language Ambassadors in safeguarding Indonesian language sovereignty while boosting national literacy.
Head of the Language Development and Cultivation Agency Kemendikdasmen, Hafidz Muksin, in Kendari on Saturday evening, expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm of the youth in the region known as “Bumi Anoa”, who competed in the 2026 Language Ambassador selection event.
“The role of youth in nation-building is vital. This nation is built on the spirit of the Youth Pledge, where they took the initiative to make Indonesian the language of unity. These finalists are the successors to that spirit,” he said.
He mentioned that the selected Language Ambassadors have four main mandates aligned with the Trigatra Bangun Bahasa motto.
“Thirdly, they are motivated to continue preserving regional languages as our cultural wealth. And finally, encouraging them to master foreign languages to engage in the global world,” he stated.
Deputy Head of BI Sultra Representative, Thathit Suryono, revealed that his side continues to strengthen synergy with the Sultra Language Centre to communicate various policies through a language and culture approach.
“Language is a bridge of communication. This aligns with Bank Indonesia’s mission in communicating policies such as Cinta Bangga Paham (CBP) Rupiah, financial literacy, inflation control, and consumer protection,” he said.
He explained that the Language Ambassador finalists, who have undergone rigorous selection, are projected to become BI’s strategic partners in socialising economic policies.
“In the future, we will develop programmes such as Consumer Protection Ambassadors or CBP Rupiah Ambassadors. We also plan to create educational media in the form of stories or children’s folktales themed around the rupiah using various regional languages in Sultra, besides Wakatobi and Wolio languages,” he said.
Acting Head of the Education and Culture Department (Dikbud) Sultra, Aris Badara, affirmed the commitment to encourage positive attitudes among students towards Indonesian in school environments.
“We continue to encourage children to have positive attitudes, pride, and love for Indonesian while adhering to correct language rules,” said Aris.
He also fully supports students mastering foreign languages as capital to become global citizens, without forgetting the preservation of regional languages.
“Regional languages are local wealth containing extraordinary values. The Trigatra Bangun Bahasa philosophy, namely prioritising Indonesian, preserving regional languages, and mastering foreign languages, must truly be implemented in our education world,” he said.