West Java Strengthens Indonesian Language Governance
The Language Development and Fostering Agency (Badan Bahasa) of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) is encouraging the establishment of stronger, more coordinated, and sustainable governance for supervising the use of the Indonesian language in West Java Province.
Head of Badan Bahasa, Hafidz Muksin, conveyed this through a Regional Consolidation activity themed “Supervision of Indonesian Language Use and Protection of Regional Languages and Literature in West Java Province.”
“Indonesian is not merely a communication tool, but also a state symbol that must be respected, championed, and used properly and correctly. Prioritising Indonesian is part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s existence, advance national civilisation, and improve quality education,” Hafidz Muksin said in a written statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He stated that the day’s activity was part of implementing Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Regulation Number 2 of 2025 concerning Guidelines for Supervising Indonesian Language Use, as well as Minister of Home Affairs Circular Letter Number 400.4/7446/SJ of 2025 regarding Supervision of Indonesian Language Use in the regions.
Currently, Hafidz noted, Indonesian is studied in 61 countries, has become an official language of the UNESCO General Conference, and is offered as a study programme at Al-Azhar University in Cairo.
Nevertheless, he observed that domestically, excessive use of foreign languages is still found in the names of areas, products, business entities, and public spaces.
“Language regulations are necessary to build a common understanding and collective compliance. The use of Indonesian in public spaces, official documents, and government environments already has a clear legal basis,” he said.
Head of the West Java Provincial Language Centre, Herawati, stressed that the successful implementation of language policy requires strong synergy between the central government, regional governments, and all stakeholders.
Assistant for Government and People’s Welfare of West Java Province, Asep Sukmana, assessed that the formation of Indonesian Language Use Supervisory Teams at the provincial and district/city levels is a strategic step to ensure the policy runs effectively.
“The regulations that have been issued need to be promptly followed up through institutional formation, supervision implementation, and guidance activities so that the benefits can be felt by the community,” Asep said.
He added that language supervision prioritises guidance, education, mentoring, and recommendations for improvement over a punitive approach.
As a manifestation of shared commitment, the day’s activity concluded with the signing of a Joint Commitment on the Supervision of Indonesian Language Use in the West Java Province.