Use of foreign terms deplored

Use of foreign terms deplored

JAKARTA (JP): A commission of the House of Representatives yesterday deplored the increasing use of foreign terms at the expense of the proper usage of Bahasa Indonesia in the nation's major cities.

The members of Commission IX, which oversees education and culture, demanded that something be done about the matter, while presenting their report on their tours of various large cities taken during the recent House recess.

During a House plenary meeting, the commission's spokeswoman, Umroh Machfudhoh, said more and more people in big cities are showing preference for the use of foreign terms rather than the local terminologies, even in daily conversation, Antara reported.

Bahasa Indonesia, both oral and written, is a component of the national culture. It is the state language and the language of the nation, one that should be used in daily communication in state affairs and in society, Umroh said.

It is the language that should be used in the development of the nation's culture and of science and technology. It is also the language that unites the nation, she added.

Umroh reported that the commission found that shopping centers, housing complexes, entertainment places and offices in Jakarta and other big cities are the worst offenders when it comes to using foreign terms.

Jakarta, as the nation's capital, should set an example by reflecting the Indonesian identity, she said.

The use of foreign terms has continued despite a 1991 decree by the minister of home affairs and a 1992 decree by the minister of education and culture on the need to promote the use of Bahasa Indonesia. (emb)