National Book Day: Lestari Moerdijat Highlights Decline in Indonesian Literacy Index

Vice Chairman of the MPR RI, Lestari Moerdijat, affirmed that the commemoration of National Book Day on 17 May should be a crucial moment to evaluate Indonesia’s total literacy ecosystem. According to her, literacy is not merely a hobby but a fundamental foundation for civilisational progress and national sovereignty.

“A society with good literacy skills is one indicator that a nation has an advanced civilisation,” said Lestari Moerdijat in a written statement on Sunday (17/5).

Although it has been commemorated annually since 2002, the condition of literacy in the country shows a worrying trend. Based on the latest data collected from various authoritative sources, Indonesia is facing significant challenges in reading interest and ability:

Rerie, as Lestari is affectionately known, believes that low inferential skills – namely, the ability to draw conclusions and think critically – are a real threat. “Our challenge is no longer just eradicating illiteracy, but creating a society that can think critically amidst the rapid flow of information,” she emphasised.

Behind the worrying data, there is a positive anomaly from young generations. A GoodStats survey in the second semester of 2025 recorded that reading activity among Generation Z reached 26%, higher than Millennials (20%) and Gen X (18%).

This member of Commission X of the DPR RI urged that this positive trend among Gen Z be supported with concrete policies. She proposed four strategic steps:

As a Member of the Supreme Council of the NasDem Party, Rerie hopes that cross-sectoral collaboration between the central government, regional governments, and society can make literacy a measurable national movement.

“If the next generation is unable to analyse information through their literacy skills, it could erode national sovereignty,” she concluded.