RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is continuing efforts to strengthen local languages as part of national cultural resilience. Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, emphasized that local languages are not only tools of communication but also the foundation of cultural resilience and national identity.

“Local languages are not just a tool for communication, but the foundation of cultural resilience and national identity,” Minister Fadli said at a workshop with the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) on fast-tracking the Local Languages Draft Law in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

He assured that regional languages will not only be protected but also continuously used, developed, utilized, and passed down. According to him, the approach must shift from passive preservation to active revitalization, achieved through integration with the education system, the adoption of digital technologies, and the engagement of youth in content creation.

Minister Fadli also outlined the 2026 policy direction and priority programs, which focus on strengthening the cultural ecosystem and advancing digital transformation. “This is part of a culture-based national development strategy,” he said.

He presented the Local Cultural Policy Framework (PPKD) as the foundation for policy formulation. “This is not merely an administrative document, but serves as the basis for cultural decision-making based on factual on-the-ground conditions,” he explained.

DPD Commission III Speaker Filep Wamafma stated that the PPKD will strengthen the substance of the Local Language Bill currently under discussion. “We hope the Local Language Bill will effectively address local needs,” he said.

A representative from Papua Province, David Harold Warumi, highlighted the importance of protecting local languages as part of the nation’s identity. He noted that aspirations from indigenous communities also point to the need for stronger policies and institutional support in the regions.

“Local languages are both the national identity and heritage that must be maintained and preserved,” he said, adding that indigenous communities’ aspirations should be incorporated into the draft law. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)