Indonesia revitalizes 120 regional languages to strengthen identity

By Pune Media On Sep 6, 2025

Students are encouraged to appreciate and actively use their mother tongues through short story writing, storytelling, and stand-up comedy contests in regional languages.

Samarinda, E Kalimantan (ANTARA) – The Language Development and Fostering Agency of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is intensifying a revitalization program for 120 regional languages across Indonesia to strengthen national identity amid globalization.

“Three of these languages have been revitalized in East Kalimantan: Kenyah, Kutai Malay, and Paser. This year, Bulungan and Tidung have been added in North Kalimantan,” Head of the East Kalimantan Language Center Asep Juanda said in Samarinda on Friday.

He explained that under the auspices of the East Kalimantan Language Center, 27 regional languages are currently being revitalized, consisting of 16 in East Kalimantan and 11 in North Kalimantan.

The regional language preservation program focuses on the younger generation through the Mother Language Shoots Festival (FTBI), which incorporates the use of local languages in engaging competitions for elementary and junior high school students.

Related news: Indonesia eyes local languages for primary school use

Students are encouraged to appreciate and actively use their mother tongues through short story writing, storytelling, and stand-up comedy contests in regional languages.

Head of the Language Development and Fostering Agency, Hafidz Muksin, stated that the revitalization program is a concrete manifestation of the Tri Gatra Bangun Bahasa slogan, namely “Preserve Regional Languages.”

This slogan goes hand in hand with the “Utamakan Bahasa Indonesia” (Prioritize the Indonesian Language) pillar, implemented through a nationwide literacy strengthening program.

Related news: We speak in one language, Indonesian

The government has printed and distributed more than 21 million quality reading books annually to schools with low literacy levels.

The program has improved the literacy index in beneficiary schools based on national assessment data and is reinforced by support for 340 literacy communities as of 2023.

At the same time, the third pillar—internationalizing the Indonesian language—has achieved a milestone with the designation of Indonesian as one of the official languages of the UNESCO General Assembly.

Additionally, Al-Azhar University in Egypt will open an Indonesian language study program on September 20, 2025, marking global recognition of Indonesia’s unifying language.

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Related news: Culture Minister urges youth to honor Indonesia’s diverse heritage

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