In a significant move to uphold the integrity of the Indonesian language, the Minister of Education and Culture, Abdul Mu'ti, announced on April 26, 2025, the issuance of Regulation No. 2 of 2025 concerning Guidelines for Supervising the Use of Indonesian. This regulation aims to maintain the sovereignty of Indonesian in both official documents and public spaces, reinforcing its role as a symbol of national identity.
"Indonesian plays a strategic role in building national character, strengthening national awareness, and creating order in public spaces and official documents," Mu'ti stated during a press conference at the Ministry's office in Jakarta. The regulation comes in response to a growing concern over the excessive use of foreign languages across various media platforms.
Mu'ti expressed that the government felt compelled to issue this regulation to improve language practices within society and institutions. He emphasized the importance of Indonesian not just as a means of communication, but also as a tool for developing science and technology. "We need a collective awareness to elevate the status of Indonesian in academic and public domains," he added.
He acknowledged that many officials, including himself, often resort to foreign languages in their speeches, highlighting the need for a cultural shift towards valuing Indonesian. The Minister hopes that the Guidelines for Supervising the Use of Indonesian will serve as a strategic step in strengthening the role of the language as a pillar of national character and identity.
In a related initiative, 51 participants took part in a journalistic language training program in East Kalimantan, receiving the opportunity to take the free Uji Kemahiran Berbahasa Indonesia (UKBI) test. This test is designed to assess proficiency in Indonesian, both spoken and written. The event was organized by the Balai Bahasa Provinsi Kalimantan Timur in collaboration with the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) of East Kalimantan.
Yudianti Herawati, the Coordinator of Administrative Affairs at Balai Bahasa Kaltim, stated that the language proficiency improvement program has been operational since 2004. The Balai has conducted Indonesian language counseling in 15 regencies and cities across East Kalimantan and North Kalimantan. "So far, the outreach has been successful, and language enthusiasts are beginning to recognize the importance of using Indonesian," she said during the event held on April 28, 2025.
Additionally, Yudianti mentioned that Balai Bahasa Kaltim is also involved in mapping 27 languages present in East Kalimantan and North Kalimantan as part of a revitalization program for Indonesian. "We must understand that the language we use today is not foreign. It is our responsibility to promote the use of Indonesian," she stressed.
Ali Kusno, the committee chair for the training program, explained that the event had 51 participants, consisting of 49 individuals from online media and 2 representatives from East Kalimantan's language ambassadors. The goal of this training is to enhance understanding of Indonesian language rules within the journalism profession. "In East Kalimantan, the use of Indonesian in the media is already commendable. Just last night, we struggled to find any writing errors," Kusno noted.
Following the language proficiency training, Balai Bahasa Kaltim plans to provide ongoing support for two months and engage in discussions about language usage issues in the region. "In two months, there will be a final test as a measure of how successful the language proficiency program has been for journalists," he explained.
After participating in the training and the final test, journalists will have the chance to undertake the UKBI test, which is akin to a TOEFL exam for the Indonesian language. Kusno emphasized the importance of this training for journalists, stating, "Our role as journalists is to convey news and educate the public, so language proficiency is essential for our profession."
Abdurahman Amin, the chairman of PWI Kaltim, echoed the sentiment, highlighting that this training is crucial for journalists to enrich their writing skills. "Mastering the language is a key asset for a journalist," he concluded.
The initiatives led by the Ministry of Education and the Balai Bahasa Kaltim reflect a growing commitment to fostering a strong national language that not only serves as a medium of communication but also as a foundation for cultural identity and academic excellence. As the government and educational institutions work together to promote Indonesian, the hope is to cultivate a society that takes pride in its language and uses it effectively in all spheres of life.
