Signing MoU, Ministry of Education Strengthens the Dignity of the National Language
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Language Development and Cultivation Agency (Badan Bahasa) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology signed a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) with the Governments of Bangka Regency, West Bangka Regency, and IAIN Syaikh Abdurrahman Siddik Bangka Belitung to strengthen the prioritisation of Indonesian as the national unifying language.
The Head of the Language Agency, Hafidz Muksin, stated that this collaboration is expected not only to remain on paper but to protect the preservation of regional languages and literature.
“Through this cooperation signing, the hope is that synergy with local governments and higher education institutions not only upholds Indonesian but becomes the main protector of the preservation of regional languages and literature in the future,” said Hafidz in a written statement in Jakarta on Thursday.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the PKS signing also serves as an empowerment for the entire education ecosystem, particularly in the fields of linguistics and regional literature through collaboration with local governments and higher education institutions.
In the scope of cooperation with local governments, he explained that the focus of the PKS is directed towards prioritising Indonesian as the national unifying language.
This, he continued, includes agendas for Indonesian language outreach, implementation of the Indonesian Language Proficiency Test (UKBI), and prioritisation of Indonesian in public spaces.
This step, he said, is accompanied by efforts in nurturing, developing, and protecting regional languages and literature, as well as encouraging each local government to draft regional regulations (Perda).
These regulations, he added, will serve as the legal umbrella in regulating the Development, Nurturing, and Protection of Indonesian and Regional Languages and Literature.
On the other hand, collaboration with higher education institutions such as IAIN SAS Bangka Belitung is focused on implementing the Tridharma of Higher Education, improving literacy skills, upholding Indonesian, and internationalising Indonesian.
In addition, he added that preserving regional languages and literature is an equally important agenda to maintain the cultural richness of Bangka Belitung Islands Province.