Government Urges Protection of Regional Languages

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) emphasized the importance of support from all elements of society in the effort to protect and revitalize regional languages thru the organization of the National Mother Language Seed Festival (FTBIN) 2026.

The festival, which brings together the younger generation from various regions in Indonesia, serves as a collaborative space between the central government, local governments, legislative bodies, communities, teachers, cultural activists, media, and the public in preserving the sustainability of regional languages as a national identity.

The Head of the Language Development and Fostering Agency (Badan Bahasa), Hafidz Muksin, said that FTBIN 2026 is an important moment for the younger generation of regional language preservers throughout Indonesia.

"Today is a day of joy for the young sprouts from all over the Republic of Indonesia." They are warriors preserving regional languages. "This outstanding performance demonstrates the local government's genuine commitment to the preservation of regional languages," Hafidz said at the Human Resource Training Center of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Depok, West Java, Monday, May 25, 2026.

In the event, the Ministry of Education and Culture also awarded the Regional Language Revitalization Award to 27 regional heads who were deemed to have a high commitment to the protection of regional languages thru policies, regulations, budget support, and the implementation of revitalization programs in their respective regions.

According to Hafidz, the success of regional language preservation cannot be achieved by the government alone, but requires the involvement of various parties thru a universal participation strategy.

"Without the support of the local government, Committee III of the DPD RI, communities, teachers, society, cultural activists, and the media, the regional language preservation program will not succeed." Therefore, we express our appreciation and gratitude to all parties who continue to keep regional languages alive within the community," he stated.

Support for the preservation of regional languages was also expressed by the Deputy Chairperson II of Committee III of the DPD RI, Jelita Donal. He revealed that the Regional Language Bill was passed in the 9th plenary session of the DPD RI in April 2026 and forwarded to the DPR RI for further discussion.

According to him, the regulation is expected to serve as a legal foundation that strengthens the efforts to protect and revitalize regional languages in Indonesia.

"With the existence of this law, the measures for preserving regional languages will have stronger legal power, allowing their implementation to be more effective, faster, more precise, and supported by a collective commitment," Jelita said.